Cost of Living: Houston vs Philadelphia (2026)

Houston vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 4% more expensive than Houston overall — $100,000 in Houston is worth about $103,980 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 4% more expensive than Houston overall — $100,000 in Houston is worth about $103,980 in Philadelphia.

Houston vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricHoustonPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)99103+4%
Median rent$1,313$1,323+1%
Median home value$253,400$232,400-8%
Median household income$62,894$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 Houston has the same buying power as about $103,980 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $96,173 in Houston.

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

Compare any salary: Houston vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 99 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Houston.

About $103,980 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Houston.