Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 1% pricier than Philadelphia, PA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Philadelphia, PA
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $100,975.
That’s about $975 more — Chicago, IL is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 1% lower than in Philadelphia, PA (112 vs 113.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $50,487 |
| $75,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $75,731 |
| $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $100,975 |
| $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $151,462 |
| $200,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $201,949 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?
No — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 1% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA?
About $100,975. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Philadelphia, PA costs roughly $100,975 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Philadelphia, PA?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 1% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 1% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 103.6 vs 102.6), with housing 1% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.