Chicago vs Philadelphia: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,721,914 | 1,593,208 |
| Median household income | $71,673 | $57,537 |
| Median home value | $304,500 | $215,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,314 | $1,250 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA comes down to what you value most. Philadelphia has the lower median home value, and Philadelphia has the lower median rent.
Chicago has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Philadelphia?
- By median home value, Philadelphia is the cheaper of the two ($215,500 vs $304,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chicago or Philadelphia?
- Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, per the US Census Bureau.