City comparison

Houston vs Philadelphia

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

Overall verdict

Houston scores higher overall

Philadelphia would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

HoustonOverall fitPhiladelphia
70 / 61+9 Houston
HoustonSavingsPhiladelphia
69 / 57+12 Houston
HoustonCareerPhiladelphia
67 / 67
HoustonLow pressurePhiladelphia
74 / 67+7 Houston

If you want career growth

HoustonOverall fitPhiladelphia
69 / 65+4 Houston
HoustonSavingsPhiladelphia
69 / 57+12 Houston
HoustonCareerPhiladelphia
67 / 67
HoustonLow pressurePhiladelphia
74 / 67+7 Houston

If you want better balance

HoustonOverall fitPhiladelphia
68 / 65+3 Houston
HoustonSavingsPhiladelphia
69 / 57+12 Houston
HoustonCareerPhiladelphia
67 / 67
HoustonLow pressurePhiladelphia
74 / 67+7 Houston

Financial impact: moving from Houston to Philadelphia

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

-$903
Monthly
-$10,836
1 year
-$32,508
3 years

Moving from Houston to Philadelphia: trade-offs

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Philadelphia is 12 points lower on savings capacity
-$903/mo estimated net reduction — $10,836 over the first year

Houston

US
Salary index
66
Cost index
48
Rent pressure
26
Opportunity
68

Philadelphia

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

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The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.

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