Chicago, IL vs Portland, OR
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Housing costs separate Chicago and Portland more than any other line item — $315,000 versus $558,000 for a typical home, a 43% spread. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 9.9% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$557,600
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$524,250
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,596/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
52.9%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
29.1x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$88,792 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$55,312
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
12.8%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
26.6 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
50.5%
Public Transit %
19.3%
7.3%
Work From Home %
18.3%
25.3%
State Income Tax
5.0%
9.9%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
0.0% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
32.0%
Median Age
35.7
38.6
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
36.9"
Annual Snowfall
—
4.2"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Portland, OR 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
Thinking about moving? See what salary you'd need in each city.
Open Cost of Living Calculator →