Irving vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Philadelphia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 5.7%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $79,500 in Philadelphia.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $79,500 in Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $70,755 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $240,000. The $78,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $494/month in Philadelphia. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $452 in Philadelphia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 101 in Philadelphia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $46,346 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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