Median rent is 18% lower in Portage ($1,138/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Portage, where the median home runs $210,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $72,833 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Portage, IN
How much would you need to earn in Portage, IN to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Portage
Indiana
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Portage at $1,138/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $210,800 in Portage — 33% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 3.05% in Indiana, so Portage is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.00% in Indiana; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Portage
Income tax: 3.05%
Sales tax: 7.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Portage.
Pick Portage if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,138/mo median).
Pick Portage if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.05%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Portage?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Portage?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,138/mo in Portage, IN. Portage, IN has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Portage?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $72,833 in Portage, IN. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Portage?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Indiana's is 3.05%. Portage, IN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Portage to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology