Chicago vs Philadelphia — side-by-side
Cost of living: Chicago vs Philadelphia (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $61,000 does in Philadelphia (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$273/yr
Favoring Chicago for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $23/mo in Chicago, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chicago Illinois | Philadelphia Pennsylvania | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,600 | Chicago wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Chicago |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900Better | $2,000 | Chicago wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Chicago |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600Better | $2,600 | — | — |
| Median home price | $360K | $290KWins | Philadelphia wins −$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102Better | 103 | Chicago wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Better | $15 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $96Better | Philadelphia wins −$9/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.30Better | Philadelphia wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Better | $175 | Chicago wins +$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $160Better | Philadelphia wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67KWins | $55K | Chicago wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 3.1%Wins | Philadelphia wins -1.8 pp | $1,098/yr saves in Philadelphia |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 8.0%Wins | Philadelphia wins -2.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Better | $45 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107Better | 107 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Better | 76 | Chicago wins -2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,092/yr tax difference into cash back
Chicago fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Chicago.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Philadelphia?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Philadelphia is $2,000/month. Chicago is cheaper by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Philadelphia to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Philadelphia to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has the lower state income tax rate at 3.1% vs 4.9%. The difference is 1.8 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Philadelphia?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Chicago ↔ Philadelphia
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