Chicago vs Philadelphia
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Philadelphia, PA.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Philadelphia, PA
COL Index
102
Monthly Budget
$5,100
State Tax
3.1%
Population
1.6M
Chicago is 5% more expensive than Philadelphia
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,700 | +$123 |
| Groceries | $686 | $660 | +$26 |
| Transport | $850 | $814 | +$36 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $406 | +$14 |
| Utilities | $321 | $306 | +$15 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,219 | +$48 |
| Total | $5,350 | $5,100 | +$250 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Philadelphia (PA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $3,070 | +$1,880 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $23,890 | +$1,880 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $76,110 | -$1,880 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in Philadelphia (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Philadelphia | Philadelphia Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,664 | $50,000 | $52,451 |
| $75,000 | $71,495 | $75,000 | $78,676 |
| $100,000 | $95,327 | $100,000 | $104,902 |
| $150,000 | $142,991 | $150,000 | $157,353 |