Chicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago is the more expensive housing market by roughly 26%; Chicago earns more at the median (19% higher), partly offsetting the cost difference. Whether that math works depends on what fraction of housing cost a relocating household plans to absorb.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$232,400 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$229,410
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,323/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
52.3%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
14.6x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$60,698
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$37,669
Unemployment Rate
7.9% ✓
8.4%
Poverty Rate
16.8%
22.0%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
34.8 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
46.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
17.9%
Work From Home %
18.3%
16.4%
State Income Tax
5.0%
3.1%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
6.3% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
19.4%
Median Age
35.7
35.1
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
45"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia, PA 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
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