Chicago vs Philadelphia for Veterans (2026)
Scroll down for VA loan estimates, military pension tax details, and FAQ.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$123/yr
Favoring Chicago for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $10/mo in Chicago, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax savings → cash back
Chicago saves ~$105/mo in taxes — stack rewards on top
Maximize cash back on groceries, dining, and transit — categories that grow after a move.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while rates are high
Even $10/mo extra earns meaningfully at 4–5% APY vs near-zero in checking.
Home + auto bundle
New state — compare rates before you sign
Moving to Chicago resets your insurance profile. Bundling home + auto often saves 15–25%.
Veterans cost breakdown
| Metric | Chicago Illinois | Philadelphia Pennsylvania | Your impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent / month | $1,900Better | $2,000 | $1,200/yr saves in Chicago |
| Median home price | $360K | $290KBetter | — |
| State income tax on pension | 4.9% | 3.1%Better | $1,350/yr saves in Philadelphia |
| Sales tax | 10.3% | 8%Better | — |
| Monthly utilities | $165 | $160Better | — |
| Military retire pay rent burden | 68%Better | 71% | — |
| Walk score | 78 / 100Better | 76 / 100 | — |
| Overall COL index | 107Better | 107 | — |
Your biggest money opportunities based on this comparison.
Pension tax savings
Philadelphia saves ~$53/mo on military pension
No-tax states are a significant advantage on fixed military retirement income. Park the difference in a high-yield savings account.
VA home loan
Philadelphia homes are $70K cheaper — $0 down with VA loan
VA loans require no down payment. Once you buy, protect your investment with homeowners insurance.
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Mortgages
See what you can afford in Philadelphia
Compare rates from top lenders before your move — pre-approval is free and won't affect your score.
Home & Auto Insurance
Bundle before you move — save 15–25%
New state means new rates. Lock in Philadelphia homeowners + auto quotes before your move date.
Moving Rewards Card
Turn closing costs & moving expenses into cash back
Average family spends $6,200 on a move. These cards pay 2–4% back + 0% intro APR on purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is better for veterans — Chicago or Philadelphia?
For veterans, the cities are comparable based on tax burden on military pension, home affordability with VA loans, and walkability. Philadelphia has the lower state tax rate on military pension income (3.1% vs 4.9%).
Is military retirement pay taxed in Chicago and Philadelphia?
As of 2026, Illinois taxes military retirement pay at 4.9%. Pennsylvania taxes military retirement pay at 3.1%. This is important because federal law does not tax VA disability compensation, but military pension IS subject to state income tax in most states. The difference on a $35K pension is roughly $53/month — or $636/year.
Can a veteran afford to buy a home in Chicago with a VA loan?
VA loans require no down payment, making homeownership more accessible for veterans. A VA loan on a $360K home in Chicago would run approximately $2,395/month at a 7% rate — that's 86% of the average military retirement take-home of $2,774/month. That's a stretch on military retirement pay alone — supplemental income or VA disability pay would help.
How far does VA disability pay go in Chicago vs Philadelphia?
VA disability compensation is tax-exempt at the federal level, and most states also exempt it. Compare the COL indexes to understand relative purchasing power in each city.
Which city is more walkable and accessible for veterans with disabilities?
Chicago has a higher walk score (78 vs 76), meaning more daily errands, medical appointments, and services are accessible on foot or via transit. High walkability reduces car dependence — particularly valuable for veterans with mobility limitations or vision impairments. Walk scores above 70 are considered "very walkable."
A $35,000/year military pension in Chicago has the same purchasing power as $35K/year in Philadelphia based on relative cost of living indexes.
Military retirement pay estimate based on 20-year E-7 equivalent (~$35,000/year). VA disability figures based on 2026 VA rating tables. State tax treatment of military pensions varies; verify your state's specific rules. Data: VA, Tax Foundation, Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026