Illinois vs Pennsylvania
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in Illinois
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
3.07%
+1.9 pp in Illinois
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,258
$1,189
+5% in Illinois
Median Home Value
$315,200
$232,400
+26% in Illinois
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$75,134
$60,698
+19% in Illinois
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
57.1°F
+4.4°F in Pennsylvania
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Illinois/Pennsylvania — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.