Illinois
95.1
composite · rank #24
- Housing
- 84.7
- Grocery
- 99.2
- Utilities
- 102.6
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Illinois vs Pennsylvania Cost of Living
Illinois has the lower cost of living by 1.1 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Illinois is lower
1.1 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Pennsylvania is roughly $98,857 in Illinois.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Illinois | Pennsylvania | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99.2 | 99 | Pennsylvania |
| Housing | 84.7 | 84.1 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 102.6 | 108.4 | Illinois |
| Transportation | 97 | 104.2 | Illinois |
| Health care | 103 | 95.1 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 98.9 | 100.5 | Illinois |
Grocery
Illinois99.2
Pennsylvania99
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Housing
Illinois84.7
Pennsylvania84.1
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
Illinois102.6
Pennsylvania108.4
Lower cost: Illinois
Transportation
Illinois97
Pennsylvania104.2
Lower cost: Illinois
Health care
Illinois103
Pennsylvania95.1
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
Illinois98.9
Pennsylvania100.5
Lower cost: Illinois
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Pennsylvania | Needed in Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,578 | $49,428 |
| $75,000 | $75,868 | $74,142 |
| $100,000 | $101,157 | $98,857 |
| $150,000 | $151,735 | $148,285 |
| $250,000 | $252,892 | $247,141 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$50,578
In Illinois$49,428
$75,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$75,868
In Illinois$74,142
$100,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$101,157
In Illinois$98,857
$150,000 origin salary
In Pennsylvania$151,735
In Illinois$148,285
Housing gap
Illinois housing is 84.7; Pennsylvania is 84.1.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Illinois is roughly $101,157 in Pennsylvania.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Illinois vs Pennsylvania cost of living FAQs
Illinois has the lower cost of living by 1.1 index points. The composite indexes are 95.1 in Illinois and 96.2 in Pennsylvania (US average = 100).
About $101,157 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Illinois, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,857 in Illinois would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania.
Housing indexes are 84.7 in Illinois and 84.1 in Pennsylvania. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Illinois has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.