Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Philadelphia, PA
Houston is about 4% cheaper than Philadelphia overall.
Comparing Houston, TX and Philadelphia, PA across cost of living, rent, income, and the salary needed to live comfortably. Houston has a lower overall price level, driven mainly by housing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Houston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 98.6 | 102.6 |
| Median rent | $1,313 | $1,323 |
| Rent, 1-bedroom (FMR) | $891 | $1,520 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (FMR) | $1,095 | $1,810 |
| Median home value | $253,400 | $232,400 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $60,698 |
| Salary needed (single) | $35,600 | $60,800 |
| Salary needed (family) | $63,300 | $86,800 |
Green highlights the more favorable value for each metric. Lower is better for costs; higher is better for income. Figures are estimates from public data (BEA, Census, HUD).
Which City Is More Affordable?
Overall, Houston is the more affordable of the two, with a cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia. The biggest difference is usually housing, where rents in Philadelphia run noticeably higher.
You can read the full breakdown for each city on its own page: cost of living in Houston and cost of living in Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Philadelphia?
Houston is about 4% cheaper than Philadelphia overall, based on the BEA cost-of-living index (Houston: 98.6 vs Philadelphia: 102.6).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Philadelphia?
The median rent is $1,313 in Houston and $1,323 in Philadelphia.
How much salary do you need in Houston vs Philadelphia?
A single person needs about $35,600 in Houston and $60,800 in Philadelphia to live comfortably.
Data Sources
Cost-of-living index from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities). Income, rent, and home value from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-Year). Fair Market Rents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.