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