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