Chicago, IL vs Portland, OR: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Portland, OR. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
Chicago, IL
IL
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 105.7
- Housing RPP
- 110.9
- Goods RPP
- 106.7
- 2-BR median rent
- $1,714/mo
Illinois flat income tax 4.95%. Chicago city tax adds ~2.25% effective burden.
Portland, OR
OR
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 108.8
- Housing RPP
- 128.5
- Goods RPP
- 109.1
- 2-BR median rent
- $2,024/mo
Oregon income tax 4.75%-9.9%. No state sales tax.
Equivalent salary
Portland, OR is more expensive than Chicago, IL by about 2.9% (RPP 105.7 to 108.8).
$60,000 in Chicago, IL
-> $61,760
in Portland, OR
$100,000 in Chicago, IL
-> $102,933
in Portland, OR
$150,000 in Chicago, IL
-> $154,399
in Portland, OR
This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Portland, OR cheaper or more expensive than Chicago, IL?
- Portland, OR (RPP 108.8) is more expensive than Chicago, IL (RPP 105.7) by about 2.9%.
- What salary do I need in Portland, OR if I earn $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
- You would need approximately $102,933 in Portland, OR to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, IL. Formula: $100,000 x (108.8 / 105.7).