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Chicago vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 6,241,882 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
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Equivalent salary: Chicago to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 0.990.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $49,498 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $74,246 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $98,995 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $148,493 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $197,990 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Philadelphia
| Job | Chicago | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $32,250 | $37,154 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $101,400 | $94,532 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $31,880 | $33,486 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $145,650 | $138,752 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $36,970 | $38,004 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $32,970 | $34,519 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $43,930 | $41,643 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $39,140 | $39,288 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $48,560 | $47,898 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $41,390 | $34,413 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $49,100 | $48,072 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $39,610 | $39,963 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $54,630 | $50,280 | $52,734 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $62,060 | $62,908 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $46,610 | $45,820 | $44,993 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Chicago vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $98,995, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Philadelphia?
Chicago, IL: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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