Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 4% pricier than Houston, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $104,057.
That’s about $4,057 more — Philadelphia, PA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 8% higher than in Houston, TX (113.1 vs 104.5), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Philadelphia, PA
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $52,028 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $78,043 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $104,057 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $156,085 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $208,114 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 4% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $104,057. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $104,057 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 8% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 4% pricier than Houston, TX (index 102.6 vs 98.6), with housing 8% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.