Houston vs Philadelphia
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Philadelphia, PA.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Philadelphia, PA
COL Index
102
Monthly Budget
$5,100
State Tax
3.1%
Population
1.6M
Houston is 6% less expensive than Philadelphia
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $1,700 | -$149 |
| Groceries | $629 | $660 | -$31 |
| Transport | $771 | $814 | -$43 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $406 | -$17 |
| Utilities | $288 | $306 | -$18 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,219 | -$57 |
| Total | $4,800 | $5,100 | -$300 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Philadelphia (PA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $3,070 | -$3,070 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $23,890 | -$3,070 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $76,110 | +$3,070 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Philadelphia (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Philadelphia | Philadelphia Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $53,125 | $50,000 | $47,059 |
| $75,000 | $79,688 | $75,000 | $70,588 |
| $100,000 | $106,250 | $100,000 | $94,118 |
| $150,000 | $159,375 | $150,000 | $141,176 |