Austin TX vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.1 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 36.1% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 7.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 15.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $60,698 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,669 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.4% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.0% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 34.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 48.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 34.5 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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