Median rent is 15% lower in Lancaster ($1,177/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lancaster, where the median home runs $203,700 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $63,421 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Lancaster, PA
How much would you need to earn in Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
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 rent is modestly lower in Lancaster at $1,177/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $203,700 in Lancaster — 35% 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 Lancaster is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Pennsylvania; Lancaster has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Lancaster
Income tax: 3.07%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Lancaster.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Lancaster if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,177/mo median).
Pick Lancaster if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.07%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Lancaster?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Lancaster?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,177/mo in Lancaster, PA. Lancaster, PA has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Lancaster?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,421 in Lancaster, PA. Chicago, IL 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 Lancaster?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Pennsylvania's is 3.07%. Lancaster, PA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Lancaster 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