CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Eugene, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Eugene
101.6
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

Eugene is slightly cheaper than Chicago — 1.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $78,500 in Eugene. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing12.1%
Chicago
112
Eugene
98.4
🛒 Groceries1.9%
Chicago
107.3
Eugene
105.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Chicago
105.5
Eugene
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Chicago
95.5
Eugene
95.3
Utilities+22.6%
Chicago
83.6
Eugene
102.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Eugene to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Eugene, OR
$78,500
$1,500 less needed in Eugene

Formula: salary × (101.6 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9807. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Eugene, OR

Median Home Price
$443,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
98.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Chicago has 12.1% lower housing costs compared to Eugene.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Eugene, OR

Median Household Income
$70,400
Per Capita Income
$40,100
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
176,654
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Eugene, OR
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.