Philadelphia, PA vs Chicago, IL: where should you move?
Philadelphia: Big-city amenities at the East Coast's fairest price. Chicago: World city at half the coastal price; taxes and winter.
Dimension
Philadelphia
Chicago
Median home price
$395K
$360K
Effective property tax
1.49%
2.08%
Tax friendliness
6/10
5/10
Winter mildness
5/10
3/10
Summer comfort
7/10
8/10
Walkability
7/10
7/10
Outdoor access
5/10
5/10
Culture & food
9/10
10/10
Healthcare
10/10
10/10
Airport connectivity
9/10
10/10
Schools
6/10
6/10
Safety
5/10
4/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
7/10
7/10
Growth trajectory
3/10
3/10
Pick Philadelphia if your priorities lean: Effective property tax, Tax friendliness, Winter mildness, Safety. Pick Chicago if they lean: Median home price, Summer comfort, Culture & food, Airport connectivity. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.