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Houston 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 Houston
๐บ๐ธ Philadelphia
At a glance
- Where Philadelphia is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (21%โ)
- Where Houston is clearly cheaper: Transit (57%โ), Local meal (36%โ), Taxi (27%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Philadelphia is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Houston 3 vs Philadelphia 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Houston | Philadelphia | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 14$14 | $ 22$22 | Houston โ36% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 12$12 | Houston โ25% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 36$36 | $ 42$42 | Houston โ14% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.2$5.2 | $ 5.1$5.1 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.2$6.2 | $ 6.5$6.5 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 13$13 | $ 14$14 | Houston โ7% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | $ 2.8$2.8 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 11$11 | $ 15$15 | Houston โ27% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 9$9 | $ 9$9 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 2.9$2.9 | Houston โ57% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 150$150 | $ 175$175 | Houston โ14% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,200$1,200 | $ 1,550$1,550 | Houston โ23% |
| Laundry | $ 3.3$3.3 | $ 4$4 | Houston โ18% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 22$22 | $ 25$25 | Houston โ12% |
| Haircutcut | $ 25$25 | $ 33$33 | Houston โ24% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 80$80 | $ 90$90 | Houston โ11% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 70$70 | $ 55$55 | Philadelphia โ21% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 30$30 | Houston โ20% |
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, Houston or Philadelphia?
Houston is 22% cheaper than Philadelphia. Daily budget $272 vs $336; a month $4,578 vs $6,015.
Which is easier to travel, Houston or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is easier: Philadelphia 1.4/5 vs Houston 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Houston and Philadelphia?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Houston is about $4,578 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.