Cost of Living: Austin vs Philadelphia (2026)

Austin vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 5% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $104,577 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 5% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $104,577 in Philadelphia.

Austin vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricAustinPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)98103+5%
Median rent$1,655$1,323-20%
Median home value$512,700$232,400-55%
Median household income$91,461$60,698-34%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $104,577 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $95,624 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Philadelphia.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 98 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

About $104,577 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.