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Dallas vs Philadelphia cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Dallas
๐บ๐ธ Philadelphia
At a glance
- Where Philadelphia is clearly cheaper: SIM card (29%โ)
- Where Dallas is clearly cheaper: Taxi (27%โ), Hotel night (20%โ), Entry ticket (17%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Philadelphia is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Dallas 3 vs Philadelphia 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Dallas | Philadelphia | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 22$22 | Dallas โ9% |
| Street food1 item | $ 12$12 | $ 12$12 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 42$42 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.1$5.1 | Philadelphia โ15% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 6.5$6.5 | Philadelphia โ7% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 14$14 | $ 14$14 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2.3$2.3 | $ 2$2 | Philadelphia โ13% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.6$2.6 | $ 2.8$2.8 | Dallas โ7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 11$11 | $ 15$15 | Dallas โ27% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 8$8 | $ 9$9 | Dallas โ11% |
| Transitone ride | $ 3$3 | $ 2.9$2.9 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 40$40 | $ 35$35 | Philadelphia โ12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 140$140 | $ 175$175 | Dallas โ20% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,350$1,350 | $ 1,550$1,550 | Dallas โ13% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 4$4 | Dallas โ12% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 35$35 | $ 25$25 | Philadelphia โ29% |
| Haircutcut | $ 30$30 | $ 33$33 | Dallas โ9% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | $ 90$90 | Dallas โ6% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 60$60 | $ 55$55 | Philadelphia โ8% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 30$30 | Dallas โ17% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Dallas or Philadelphia?
Dallas is 12% cheaper than Philadelphia. Daily budget $286 vs $336; a month $5,436 vs $6,015.
Which is easier to travel, Dallas or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is easier: Philadelphia 1.4/5 vs Dallas 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Dallas and Philadelphia?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Dallas is about $5,436 and Philadelphia about $6,015 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.