Chicago or Philadelphia? cant decide!?

Both Chicago and Philadelphia are great cities with a lot to see and do. Unfortunately, both cities have VERY hot and humid summers. Philadelphia and Chicago both get cold in the winter, but Chicago is much colder and very windy. The crime rate in Chicago and Philadelphia is, as you said, about the same. Philadelphia often gets a bad reputation due to the high murder rate, but most of that occurs in areas you are not likely to be frequenting. I love Philadelphia and have lived in or around the city my whole life, but I hear it can be a tough city to break into as a transplant whereas when I visit Chicago I find that people are more open and friendly right off the bat. I hope that this helps!