Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 14.6% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 36.1% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 7.8% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 15.2% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $60,698 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $37,669 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.4% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 22.0% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 34.6% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 52.3% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
32.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 34.5 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Carrollton, TX vs New York, NYCarrollton, TX vs Los Angeles, CACarrollton, TX vs Chicago, ILCarrollton, TX vs Houston, TXCarrollton, TX vs Phoenix, AZCarrollton, TX vs San Antonio, TX