Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 10% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Chicago vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Chicago is $86 (6%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Chicago is $48 (3%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Philadelphia is $41 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Chicago is $91 (4%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Chicago is $21,099 (35%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Chicago is $6,820 (16%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Chicago is $10,132 (27%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Chicago vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Chicago is $72,800 (31%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Chicago is $4,101 (210%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Chicago vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $27 (23%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $1 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $336 (16%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Philadelphia are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Philadelphia are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Chicago is 1.8% (25%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Chicago vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Chicago is 1.9% (61%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Chicago is 2.5% (39%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Chicago vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 0.1 min (0%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Chicago is 9.5% (20%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 4.9% (38%) higher than Chicago

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Chicago is $325 (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Chicago is $605 (13%) higher than Philadelphia

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Chicago is $752 (11%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Philadelphia.

Is Chicago or Philadelphia more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chicago is approximately $48 (3%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Philadelphia?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Chicago and Philadelphia

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Philadelphia profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.