Median rent is 5% lower in Drexel Hill ($1,312/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Drexel Hill, where the median home runs $239,900 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Drexel Hill ($87,993 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Drexel Hill, PA
How much would you need to earn in Drexel Hill, PA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Drexel Hill
Pennsylvania
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,380/mo in Chicago and $1,312/mo in Drexel Hill. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $239,900 in Drexel Hill — 24% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 3.07% in Pennsylvania, so Drexel Hill is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Pennsylvania; Drexel Hill has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Drexel Hill
Income tax: 3.07%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Drexel Hill.
Pick Drexel Hill if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,993/yr).
Pick Drexel Hill if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.07%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Drexel Hill?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Drexel Hill?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,312/mo in Drexel Hill, PA. Drexel Hill, PA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Drexel Hill?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $87,993 in Drexel Hill, PA. Drexel Hill, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Drexel Hill?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Pennsylvania's is 3.07%. Drexel Hill, PA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Drexel Hill to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology