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Houston vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 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: Houston to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 1.040.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $51,990 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Houston | $77,985 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Houston | $103,980 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Houston | $155,969 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Houston | $207,959 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and Philadelphia
| Job | Houston | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $32,250 | $26,189 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $101,400 | $101,684 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $31,880 | $28,014 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $145,650 | $148,354 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $36,970 | $35,122 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $32,970 | $30,518 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $43,930 | $40,465 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $39,140 | $39,208 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $48,560 | $43,922 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $41,390 | $29,586 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,380 | $49,100 | $43,983 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $39,610 | $33,114 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,460 | $50,280 | $48,120 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,160 | $62,060 | $58,968 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $40,430 | $45,820 | $40,992 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Houston vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Houston more expensive than Philadelphia?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $103,980, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston 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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