City comparison

Austin vs Philadelphia

Austin scores higher on salary; Austin has a lower cost of living. Compare Austin and Philadelphia on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Austin scores higher overall

Philadelphia is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

AustinOverall fitPhiladelphia
72 / 61+11 Austin
AustinSavingsPhiladelphia
71 / 57+14 Austin
AustinCareerPhiladelphia
78 / 67+11 Austin
AustinLow pressurePhiladelphia
67 / 67

If you want career growth

AustinOverall fitPhiladelphia
74 / 65+9 Austin
AustinSavingsPhiladelphia
71 / 57+14 Austin
AustinCareerPhiladelphia
78 / 67+11 Austin
AustinLow pressurePhiladelphia
67 / 67

If you want better balance

AustinOverall fitPhiladelphia
72 / 65+7 Austin
AustinSavingsPhiladelphia
71 / 57+14 Austin
AustinCareerPhiladelphia
78 / 67+11 Austin
AustinLow pressurePhiladelphia
67 / 67

Financial impact: moving from Austin to Philadelphia

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$1,301
Monthly
-$15,612
1 year
-$46,836
3 years

Moving from Austin to Philadelphia: trade-offs

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Philadelphia is 14 points lower on savings capacity
-$1,301/mo estimated net reduction — $15,612 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city

Austin

US
Salary index
82
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
76

Philadelphia

US
Salary index
66
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
68

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