Philadelphia is about 1% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $98,995 in Philadelphia.
Chicago vs Philadelphia: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 103 | -1% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $1,323 | -4% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $232,400 | -26% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $60,698 | -19% |
Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.
What your salary is worth
A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $98,995 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $101,015 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Philadelphia.