Cost of Living Comparison Between Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Philadelphia, PA is 0 than Chicago, IL without rent, and 4.5% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Philadelphia, PA is 0.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 9.7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.65 $19.65
$20.82 $20.82
-5.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.4 $88.4
$100 $100
-11.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.06 $12.06
$11.97 $11.97
0.75%
Cappuccino
$4.79 $4.79
$5.56 $5.56
-13.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$3.11 $3.11
-16.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.42 $2.42
-20.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.03 $6.03
$6.86 $6.86
-12.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.95 $6.95
$8.45 $8.45
-17.75%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.04 $1.04
37.50%
White Bread (500g)
$4.25 $4.25
$4.15 $4.15
2.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$10.17 $10.17
$5.52 $5.52
84.24%
Eggs
$4.45 $4.45
$4.65 $4.65
-4.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.04 $15.04
$14.33 $14.33
4.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.92 $13.92
$14.88 $14.88
-6.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.54 $21.54
$19.34 $19.34
11.38%
Apples (1kg)
$6.08 $6.08
$5.17 $5.17
17.60%
Banana (1kg)
$2.24 $2.24
$1.71 $1.71
30.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.12 $5.12
$4.41 $4.41
16.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$4.51 $4.51
15.52%
Potato (1kg)
$3.31 $3.31
$2.53 $2.53
30.83%
Onion (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$2.74 $2.74
4.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.1 $3.1
$2.43 $2.43
27.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.7 $2.7
-6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.93 $12.93
$15.19 $15.19
-14.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.72 $14.72
$16.42 $16.42
-10.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$2.35 $2.35
-17.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.29 $4.29
$3.7 $3.7
15.95%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.53 $2.53
-3.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$96.3 $96.3
$74.1 $74.1
29.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.07 $3.07
$3.34 $3.34
-8.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.42 $1.42
11.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.42 $22.42
$25.42 $25.42
-11.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.08 $1.08
-19.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
-15.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.44%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$270 $270
$188 $188
43.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.8 $62.8
$63.7 $63.7
-1.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76 $76
$65.2 $65.2
16.52%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.31 $49.31
$76.7 $76.7
-35.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.85 $31.85
$13.03 $13.03
144.44%
Cinema Ticket
$15.25 $15.25
$14.93 $14.93
2.14%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,109 $2,109
$2,063 $2,063
2.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$43.4K $43.4K
$39.2K $39.2K
10.76%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.5 $50.5
$64.3 $64.3
-21.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.75 $42.75
$52.4 $52.4
-18.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.5 $94.5
$95.2 $95.2
-0.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$145 $145
-1.82%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,751 $1,751
$2,378 $2,378
-26.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 $1,341
$1,584 $1,584
-15.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,119 $3,119
$4,763 $4,763
-34.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,295 $2,295
$2,815 $2,815
-18.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,289 $3,289
$3,588 $3,588
-8.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,397 $2,397
$2,490 $2,490
-3.76%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,417 $4,417
$5,275 $5,275
-16.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.68
6.6
1.21%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Philadelphia, PA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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