Cost of Living: Dallas vs Philadelphia (2026)

Dallas vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 1% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $99,480 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 1% less expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $99,480 in Philadelphia.

Dallas vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricDallasPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103103-1%
Median rent$1,403$1,323-6%
Median home value$295,300$232,400-21%
Median household income$67,760$60,698-10%

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 Dallas has the same buying power as about $99,480 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $100,523 in Dallas.

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

Compare any salary: Dallas vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 103 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia.

About $99,480 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.