CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
PA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Philadelphia — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $90,800 in Philadelphia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+53.3%
Abilene
73.8
Philadelphia
113.1
🛒 Groceries+3.2%
Abilene
93.8
Philadelphia
96.8
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Abilene
101.1
Philadelphia
108.2
🏥 Healthcare+7.1%
Abilene
91.4
Philadelphia
97.9
Utilities+40.9%
Abilene
81.2
Philadelphia
114.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Philadelphia

Formula: salary × (102.6 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.1350. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Philadelphia has 53.3% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.