The main difference between Philadelphia and Austin is that the cost of living is higher in Philadelphia.
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is higher. As well as the cost of groceries and utilities.
However, in Philadelphia, there are more job opportunities, as well as more cultural and recreational activities available. Additionally, the public transportation system in Philadelphia is much better than the system in Austin.
Who Would Like Living in Philadelphia?
Working Class Charlie
Philadelphia is an old blue-collar town. It prides itself on its working-class roots and excellent work ethic.
History Buff Harry
There are few cities in the US with as rich historical landmarks as Philadelphia. It has great museums and cultural sights.
Who Would Like Living in Austin?
Cheap Charlie
While Phoenix has low cost of living, Austin is even better. It’s famed for being one of the most affordable cities in the United States.
Musical Mary
The live music in Austin is excellent. Enjoy some music while drinking a craft beer in one of the many downtown venues.
Read Also: The Pros and Cons of Living in Austin Texas
Living in Philadelphia vs Austin
1. Size
Summary:
- Population of Philadelphia: 1,600,000
- Population of Austin: 970,000
The City of Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and the fifth most populous city in the United States and the 6th biggest city in the USA covering an area of 134,4 sq miles. The population of Philadelphia is estimated to be 1,603,737.
The City of Austin is the capital of Texas and the eleventh most populous city in the United States and the 4th biggest city in the USA covering an area of 319.9 sq miles. The population of Austin is estimated to be 971,855 people.
If you are looking for a dense, big city in the USA, then you should consider moving to Philadelphia. But If you are looking for a spaced-out city with fewer people then Austin is for you.
2. Weather
If you hate winter, than you might struggle with Philadelphia’s freezing January temperatures. Austin tends to have mild winters and hot summers.
There’s no doubt that Philadelphia and Austin have some similarities: both are big cities with a lot of culture and history. But when it comes to the weather, the two cities are quite different.
Philadelphia is known for its cold winters, while Austin enjoys milder temperatures year-round. In fact, Austin often has to deal with humidity and heatwaves in the summer, while Philadelphia can be quite chilly even in the summertime.
The average high temperature in Philadelphia in July is 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature in January is 32.3 while the average high temperature in Austin in July is 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low is 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are looking for a city with a more temperate climate, then Austin is the city for you.
3. Cost of Living
The cost of living in Philadelphia is higher than the cost of living in Austin.
Philadelphia is the 16th most expensive city in the US while Austin is the 112th most expensive city in the US. Rent Prices in Philadelphia are 5.47% higher than in Austin.
While the cost of living in Austin is much cheaper than in Philadelphia the rental and own property in Austin is much higher. Comparing the state’s tax burdens, Austin’s is lower with a state tax burden of 8.19% while Philadelphia’s is higer with a state tax burden of 8.46%.
The state of Pennsylvania has lower property taxes than Austin, but the state of Texas has higher property taxes than Philadelphia. Austin’s property tax burden is 1.69% of property value, while Pennsylvania’s is 1.58%.
So, if you looking to move to a cheaper area, Philadelphia is, much cheaper than Austin.
4. Culture
Philadelphia and Austin are two very different cities. Austin is known for its laid-back lifestyle and love of all things music, while Philadelphia is known as a more traditional city with a rich history. In terms of culture, the two cities could not be more different.
However, there are some similarities. Both cities have a strong food scene, with a mix of traditional and modern restaurants. And both cities are home to a number of art galleries and museums.
But, you don’t have to be a foodie or an art lover to enjoy these two cities. In fact, it’s a great way to see the city from an entirely different perspective.
So if you are looking for a city with a rich history Philadelphia is the place for you, but if you are a music lover then Austin is the city for you.
5. Traffic and Transit
Philadelphia and Austin are two of the most populated cities in the United States. They are also two of the most congested cities. Both have a variety of public transportation options, but neither has a consistent and reliable model.
Austin’s buses have the worst on-time performance of any major U.S. city, and Philadelphia’s system is the worst in the nation for on-time performance among large cities.
The traffic in Philadelphia is ranked as the 10th worst in the US while the traffic in Austin is ranked as the 21st worst in the US. On-time performance of public transportation in the two cities is shown below. In Austin, local paratransit services are provided by Capital Metro, which also operates bus routes and provides shared ride services. In Philadelphia, SEPTA operate the city’s public transportation system.
Austin has fewer traffic jams than Philadelphia making it easier to get around by car. However, Austin is a much larger city than Philadelphia but there are fewer people on the roads. This means fewer people fewer traffic jams.
So, if you’re looking for a city with better traffic and public transportation, Austin is the better choice.
6. Economy and Job Opportunities
Philadelphia and Austin are two of the most populated cities in the United States. They are also two of the most diverse, with a variety of industries represented. When it comes to comparing their economies, Philadelphia has a larger GDP and more Fortune 500 companies.
However, Austin has a higher GDP growth rate and more start-ups. In terms of job opportunities, both cities are home to a number of major corporations, but Philadelphia’s unemployment rate is higher. In general, both cities offer a wealth of opportunities for those looking for work.
7. Sports Franchises
While both Philadelphia and Austin have some sports teams, Philadelphia’s got a much better sporting culture that has a long, rich history. Philly also has many more major league teams.
Philadelphia is home to the Eagles, Phillies, and 76ers. Austin is home to the Longhorns, Spurs, and Astros.
The Eagles have been around since 1933 and have won three Super Bowls. The Phillies have been around since 1883 and have won two World Series titles. The 76ers are a new team that came into existence in the year 1960 and have not won any championships.
The Philadelphia Sports Complex consists of three world-class sports stadiums with a combined seating capacity of more than 133,000 people. The stadiums are the Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and the Wells Fargo Centre.
The Philadelphia Sports Complex is also home to an NHL ice rink, the Wells Fargo Centre.
Austin has one of the biggest stadiums in the USA the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and is home to the Texas Longhorns, a college football team that plays in the Big 12 Conference.
8. Crime Rates
Overall, Austin has a lower crime rate than that of Philadelphia, but it also has much higher gun ownership.
The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 909 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3,097 per 100,000 residents.
In Austin, the crime rate is higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 467 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3,631 per 100,000 residents. In Austin, there is an average rate of gun ownership with 45.70% of households owning at least one firearm while only 40.7% of people in Philadelphia own guns.
9. Education Systems
In recent years, Philadelphia and Austin have been vying for the title of “most underrated education city in America.” While both cities offer an excellent education, they each have their own unique benefits and drawbacks.
Both Austin and Philadelphia have a higher than average high school graduation rate Philadelphia being 81.20% and Austin has an average high school graduation rate of 85.30%.
Philadelphia has a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as a large number of colleges and universities. The downside to Philly’s education system is that it can be quite expensive, with tuition rates at many schools rivaling those of private universities.
Austin offers a more relaxed vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. The city also has a strong tech industry, which benefits students who are interested in STEM fields. However, the cost of living in Austin can be high, and the public school system has been criticized for its lack of funding. So if you looking for an education system with a more moderate price tag and a better-funded school system, Austin is the place to go.
Other City Comparisons
Conclusion
Philadelphia and Austin are both great cities with much to offer residents and visitors alike. However, when it comes to comparing the two, Philadelphia comes out on top. With its rich history, an abundance of cultural attractions, and diverse neighborhoods, Philadelphia offers something for everyone. So if you’re looking for a city that has it all, Philadelphia is the place to be.
Jason Dempsey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Home City Living. After abandoning the corporate world in order to indulge his wanderlust, Jason founded Home City Living with his partner Rose to create the premier source of travel information and inside local knowledge on the web to help other would-be global explorers and seekers learn to spread their wings and fly.
