City comparison
No. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Houston and Philadelphia are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,361 in Houston and $1,397 in Philadelphia, and median household income lands at $64,813 versus $61,953. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Houston is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Houston is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Houston and Philadelphia are 1,339 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $36 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $2,860 (4%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 261 in Philadelphia, down 9 points (3%).
The move
Philadelphia and Houston are 1,339 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $36 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $64,813 in Houston, up $2,860 (5%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 270 in Houston, up 9 points (3%).
Houston, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Houston and Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Houston rent is 3% cheaper than Philadelphia
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Houston is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $36, or $432 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Houston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Houston's median income is 5% higher than Philadelphia
Houston
Winner$64,813
Philadelphia
$61,953
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Houston (about $2,860 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
3% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 3% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Houston. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Houston weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Houston
Winner77°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Houston averages about 77°F (85°F highs); Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs). Houston sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Houston scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 5% higher ($64,813), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Houston (261 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,361/month rent in Houston at 77°F versus $1,397 in Philadelphia at 59°F. Income runs $64,813 vs $61,953, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $36 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Houston and 31/100 in Philadelphia.
Houston wins on climate (77°F vs 59°F); Philadelphia is the better fit if $1,397 rent and $61,953 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Houston when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Philadelphia, plus other cities in TX and PA.
