Houston, TX vs Philadelphia, PA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Philadelphia
72.6
#863 nationally
Philadelphia leads in walk score (74 vs 48). Houston leads in school rating (5.5 vs 4.5). Houston leads in average commute (28.5 min vs 32.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 72.6 (#863) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 1,573,916 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $234,630 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $52,649 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 32.8 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 74 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | High |
| School Rating | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | D+58.8 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
C-
72.6 Score
Philadelphia, PA
City of Brotherly Love with gritty charm
Median Home
$234,630
Population
1,573,916
Crime
High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Philadelphia, PA →
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