Philadelphia vs Houston: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Philadelphia, PA and Houston, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,593,208 | 2,296,253 |
| Median household income | $57,537 | $60,440 |
| Median home value | $215,500 | $235,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,250 | $1,235 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Philadelphia, PA and Houston, TX comes down to what you value most. Philadelphia has the lower median home value, and Houston has the lower median rent.
Houston has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Houston?
- By median home value, Philadelphia is the cheaper of the two ($215,500 vs $235,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Philadelphia or Houston?
- Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia versus $60,440 in Houston, per the US Census Bureau.