Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 1% cheaper than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $99,035.
That’s about $965 less — Philadelphia, PA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 1%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 1% higher than in Chicago, IL (113.1 vs 112), 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 Philadelphia, PA
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $49,517 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $74,276 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $99,035 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $148,552 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $198,069 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Chicago, IL?
Yes — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 1% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $99,035. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $99,035 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 1% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 1% cheaper than Chicago, IL (index 102.6 vs 103.6), with housing 1% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.