Cost of Living: El Paso vs Philadelphia (2026)

El Paso vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 14% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $114,060 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 14% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $114,060 in Philadelphia.

El Paso vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricEl PasoPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90103+14%
Median rent$1,041$1,323+27%
Median home value$171,700$232,400+35%
Median household income$58,734$60,698+3%

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 El Paso has the same buying power as about $114,060 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $87,673 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 90 — a 14% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $114,060 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.