Illinois vs Pennsylvania: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Illinois and Pennsylvania. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Median Home Price
$270K
$280K
Property Tax Rate
2.07%
1.36%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$5K
Closing Cost %
2.0%
1.7%
Transfer Tax
0.1%
2%
Homeowners Insurance
$1,900/yr
$1,400/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
IHDA 1stHomeIllinois
$7,500 forgivable loan
PHFA Keystone Advantage
Up to $6,000 DPA
Verdict
Pennsylvania wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Illinois has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.