Chicago IL vs Portland OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Portland
12.4%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 642,715 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.4% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 11.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $538,687 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 78.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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