Cost of Living Comparison
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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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PortlandvsChicago

Moving from Portland to Chicago will save you approximately $49,152 on median home prices (8.6% less). Monthly rent is $205 cheaper in Chicago. Median income is 5.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
8.6% cheaper
Rent
8.6% cheaper
View PortlandView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Portland, ME

Median Home Price$574,426
Monthly Rent$2,393
Median Income$69,734
Population66,872
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-8.6%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-8.6%
Median Income
$73,194+5.0%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Portland

2015$1,395
2020$1,789
2025$2,393

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Portland

Housing$8,979
Food$7,248
Transport$12,994
Healthcare$10,417
Total$53,421

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

8.6%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$205
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
5.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Portland

Population66,872
Median Age40.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate113 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1134 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Portland

113
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1134
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Portland?

Chicago is 8.6% cheaper for housing than Portland. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $574,426 in Portland, a savings of $49,152.

What is the rent difference between Portland and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Portland averages $2,393. That's a savings of $205 per month, or $2,458 annually.

How do incomes compare between Portland and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 5.0% higher than Portland's median of $69,734.

Which city is safer: Portland or Chicago?

Portland has a violent crime rate of 113 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Portland is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.