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Dallas vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Dallas, TX | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.1 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $70,630 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,440 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,513 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $58,518 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $366,823 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $87,155 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 7,807,555 | 6,241,882 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Dallas to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Dallas to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 0.995.
| Salary in Dallas | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Dallas | $49,740 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Dallas | $74,610 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Dallas | $99,480 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Dallas | $149,220 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Dallas | $198,960 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Dallas and Philadelphia
| Job | Dallas | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,460 | $32,250 | $27,607 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,820 | $101,400 | $97,798 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,350 | $31,880 | $28,470 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $139,120 | $145,650 | $134,950 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,160 | $36,970 | $34,106 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $30,290 | $32,970 | $29,382 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,830 | $43,930 | $39,606 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,140 | $39,140 | $38,937 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,400 | $48,560 | $44,039 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,530 | $41,390 | $29,615 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,210 | $49,100 | $44,825 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $35,470 | $39,610 | $34,407 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $48,260 | $50,280 | $46,813 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,720 | $62,060 | $60,840 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $40,700 | $45,820 | $39,480 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Dallas vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Dallas more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.1 in Dallas, TX and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Dallas?
About $99,480, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Dallas or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, PA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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