Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 1,582,432 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 22.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 15.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $60,698 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,669 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 22.0% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 34.5 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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