Philadelphia vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia
Tyler
The Verdict
Tyler is 24.7% less expensive than Philadelphia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Philadelphia would need approximately $60,142 in Tyler to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $60,142 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $93,529 in Philadelphia.
Living in Philadelphia vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Philadelphia's housing index of 107 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $250,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Philadelphia compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Philadelphia and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Philadelphia vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Philadelphia and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Philadelphia vs $388 in Tyler. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Philadelphia and 93 in Tyler. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia and $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,346 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,146/month to housing in Philadelphia vs $1,279/month in Tyler. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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