City Comparison | Chicago Vs. Philadelphia

Comparing Chicago and Philadelphia across several categories, to help curious minds understand a little more about these two iconic cities.

On the surface, Chicago and Philadelphia share many similarities. Both cities are large and dense American metropolises, with all the big-city features that comes with, including eclectic food and bar scenes, passionate sports fans, and engaging architecture from multiple eras.

However, looking at these two places a little closer reveals striking contrasts that define their unique identities. Both cities manage to deliver their own compelling version of urban America, and do so on their own terms. The civic pride that is exhibited by the citizens of these cities, is a testament to the unique journeys that made them what they are today.

In this article, we’ll compare Chicago and Philadelphia across several categories, including food, culture, neighborhoods, public spaces, and quality of life, to help curious minds understand a little more about these two iconic cities.

Philly vs Chicago Infographic

Demographics

Chicago

Chicago’s population represents a mosaic of various cultures and communities from around the globe.

Median Age

35.7 years

Racial Makeup

32% White

29.6% Hispanic

28% Black

7.03% Asian

2.73% Multiracial

<1% Other

<1% American Indian and Pacific Islander

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is slightly less diverse than Chicago, but is still composed of a highly diverse population from many different ethnic groups.

Median Age

35.1 years

Racial Makeup

38.9% Black

33.6% White

15.2% Hispanic/Latino

7.71% Asian

3.81% Multiracial

<1% Other

<1% American Indian and Pacific Islander

Education

Chicago

Chicago is home to one of the largest public school systems in the nation, serving over 320,000 students across 634 schools.

The Chicago area is also home to a collection of world-class universities and research institutions including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and DePaul University.

Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia serves nearly 200,000 students across 331 schools.

Higher education institutions in Philadelphia include the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Drexel University.

Cost of Living

Chicago

Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chicago has managed to maintain a reputation for relative affordability, offering city living without the exorbitant price tag. But that balance is gradually shifting. Rising costs of living, coupled with high taxes and a shortage of new high-density housing, have begun to chip away at the city’s once accessible appeal.

While Chicago still offers more value than some coastal counterparts, the affordability gap is narrowing as urban pressures mount.

Median Household Income – $75,134

Average Home Cost – $309,000

Average Rent (1 bedroom) – $1,953

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is certainly not the cheapest place to live in the United States, however, when compared to its sister cities on the east coast, it is relatively inexpensive.

Median Household Income – $60,698

Average Home Cost – $232,400

Average Rent (1 bedroom) – $1,751

Transportation

Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), operates one of the busiest public transportation networks in North America. Services Include:

The ‘L’ Train

First Operation – 1892

Number of Lines – 8

Network Length – 102.8 miles of track

Annual Ridership – 127,463,000

Buses

Number of Routes – 140

Annual Ridership – 181,733,000

Biking

Bike Lane Network Length – 478 Miles

Bike Share System – Divvy

Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s public transportation network is managed by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA). Network statistics are as follows:

SEPTA Metro

First Operation – 1859

Number of Lines – 6

Network Length – 78 miles of track

Annual Ridership – 66,600,000

Buses

Number of Routes – 115

Annual Ridership – 90,674,000

Biking

Bike Lane Network Length – 29.8 Miles

Bike Share System – Indego

A commuter train in Philadelphia. — *Image by Bruce Emmerling*

Popular Neighborhoods

Chicago

Chicago is often described as a city of neighborhoods, and once you explore it, you’ll understand why. With more than 200 official neighborhoods organized into 77 dynamic community areas, each of which tells its own story, shaped by the city’s history and the diverse cultures that have called Chicago home.

Some of Chicago’s most well known neighborhoods include:

Philadelphia

Similar to Chicago, Philadelphia is also a city of neighborhoods. The city’s plan splits Philadelphia into several sections based on geographic location. These sections are then further divided into hundreds of distinct neighborhoods, though their boundaries are unofficial.

A few of New York’s most popular neighborhoods are:

Fishtown

Rittenhouse Square

Old City

Northern Liberties

Washington Square West

Parks

Chicago

Chicago allows you to explore more than 600 parks spread across 8,900 acres of green space, with everything from tranquil gardens to neighborhood playgrounds. Along its shimmering 28-mile lakefront, the city also features 24 beautiful freshwater beaches.

Popular Parks

Grant Park

Millenium Park

Lincoln Park

The 606

Montrose Beach

North Avenue Beach

Philadelphia

There is over 10,200 acres of park land found across the city of Philadelphia.

Popular Parks

Rittenhouse Square

Washington Square

Fairmount Park

FDR Park

A crane at the Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia. — *Image by Bruce Emmerling*

Tourism

Chicago

Chicago ranks among the top ten travel destinations in the United States, drawing millions of visitors from around the world each year. As one of the country’s premier urban getaways, it also boasts the third-highest number of hotel rooms nationwide.

Annual Tourist Visits Per Year

50,000,000+

Number of Restaurants

> 7300

Popular Attractions

Millennium Park

Willis Tower Sky Deck

Navy Pier

Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago Riverwalk

Major Sports Teams

MLB

Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox

MLS

Chicago Fire

NBA

Chicago Bulls

NFL

Chicago Bears

NHL

Chicago Blackhawks

WNBA

Chicago Sky

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is an underrated tourist destination, but has started to receive more buzz in recent years. Much of the tourism in the city centers around its status as a founding American city.