City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Portland skyline
Portland
VS

Chicago and Portland have similar costs overall.

ChicagoPortland
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$2,377.96 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$1,958.32 CAD
Groceries Index105105
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$139.88 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$181.84 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.47 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$32.17 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$69.94 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,238.08 CAD$2,098.20 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Chicago...

You would need $59,094 in Portland to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Portland?

Chicago and Portland have similar costs overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Portland?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $1,700 USD in Portland. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,400 USD in Portland.

What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Portland?

On average, you need about 98% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $59,094 in Portland.

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