Pennsylvania
96.2
composite · rank #25
- Housing
- 84.1
- Grocery
- 99
- Utilities
- 108.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Pennsylvania vs Illinois 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
Illinois
95.1
composite · rank #24
- Housing
- 84.7
- Grocery
- 99.2
- Utilities
- 102.6
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Pennsylvania | Illinois | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99 | 99.2 | Pennsylvania |
| Housing | 84.1 | 84.7 | Pennsylvania |
| Utilities | 108.4 | 102.6 | Illinois |
| Transportation | 104.2 | 97 | Illinois |
| Health care | 95.1 | 103 | Pennsylvania |
| Misc. goods & services | 100.5 | 98.9 | Illinois |
Grocery
Pennsylvania99
Illinois99.2
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Housing
Pennsylvania84.1
Illinois84.7
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Utilities
Pennsylvania108.4
Illinois102.6
Lower cost: Illinois
Transportation
Pennsylvania104.2
Illinois97
Lower cost: Illinois
Health care
Pennsylvania95.1
Illinois103
Lower cost: Pennsylvania
Misc. goods & services
Pennsylvania100.5
Illinois98.9
Lower cost: Illinois
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Illinois | Needed in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,428 | $50,578 |
| $75,000 | $74,142 | $75,868 |
| $100,000 | $98,857 | $101,157 |
| $150,000 | $148,285 | $151,735 |
| $250,000 | $247,141 | $252,892 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Illinois$49,428
In Pennsylvania$50,578
$75,000 origin salary
In Illinois$74,142
In Pennsylvania$75,868
$100,000 origin salary
In Illinois$98,857
In Pennsylvania$101,157
$150,000 origin salary
In Illinois$148,285
In Pennsylvania$151,735
Housing gap
Pennsylvania housing is 84.1; Illinois is 84.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Pennsylvania is roughly $98,857 in Illinois.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Pennsylvania vs Illinois cost of living FAQs
Illinois has the lower cost of living by 1.1 index points. The composite indexes are 96.2 in Pennsylvania and 95.1 in Illinois (US average = 100).
About $98,857 in Illinois would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Pennsylvania, based on the composite indexes.
About $101,157 in Pennsylvania would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Illinois.
Housing indexes are 84.1 in Pennsylvania and 84.7 in Illinois. 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.