City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Safety is where Chicago and Philadelphia split most clearly. Chicago scores 94 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,397 in Philadelphia.
This is a genuine split. Chicago wins on the job market and safety and Philadelphia wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Chicago has rougher pockets and Philadelphia has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Chicago and Philadelphia are 664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $43 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $15,949 (20%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 261 in Philadelphia, up 94 points (56%).
The move
Philadelphia and Chicago are 664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $43 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $77,902 in Chicago, up $15,949 (26%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 167 in Chicago, down 94 points (36%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 3% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Philadelphia is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $43, or $516 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Chicago's median income is 26% higher than Philadelphia
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Philadelphia
$61,953
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Chicago (about $15,949 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Chicago is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
36% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 36% lower than Philadelphia
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Chicago. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Chicago is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Chicago and Philadelphia are about even on typical weather.
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Philadelphia (167 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Chicago: Chicago scores 44/100 versus 31/100 in Philadelphia, with typical rent at $1,440 versus $1,397. I would vet the exact ZIP in Philadelphia before trading 13 safety points for housing savings.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Chicago's $1,440, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,440 in Chicago.
If safety drives your move, Chicago is the stronger match (44/100 safety versus 31/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Philadelphia, plus other cities in IL and PA.
