Median rent is 5% lower in Philadelphia ($1,397/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Philadelphia, where the median home runs $243,100 versus $304,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $61,953 a year). Taken together, Philadelphia is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.4 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, TX.
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Philadelphia, PA
How much would you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$74,907
You could earn $93 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,470/mo in Arlington and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia. Median home values are within 20% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $243,100 in Philadelphia.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate) and Philadelphia averages 54.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,171/yr).
Is Arlington cheaper than Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.4 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Philadelphia.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Philadelphia?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia, PA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Philadelphia?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Philadelphia, PA has better air quality on average: 54.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Philadelphia?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,876 in Philadelphia, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
