Chicago IL vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 1,582,432 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 15.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $60,698 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $37,669 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.4% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.0% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 34.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 57.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.5 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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