Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 4% cheaper than Philadelphia, PA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Philadelphia, PA
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $96,101.
That’s about $3,899 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 4%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 8% lower than in Philadelphia, PA (104.5 vs 113.1), 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 Houston, TX
| $50,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $48,051 |
| $75,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $72,076 |
| $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $96,101 |
| $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $144,152 |
| $200,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $192,203 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 4% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA?
About $96,101. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Philadelphia, PA costs roughly $96,101 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Philadelphia, PA?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 8% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 4% cheaper than Philadelphia, PA (index 98.6 vs 102.6), with housing 8% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.