City Comparison

Champaign vs Gresham

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

The Verdict

36.7%

Living in Champaign costs 36.7% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $118,519 in Gresham.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
172
Gresham
Groceries
98
Champaign
101
Gresham
Utilities
106
Champaign
96
Gresham
Transportation
99
Champaign
126
Gresham
Healthcare
90
Champaign
103
Gresham

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $118,519 in Gresham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gresham equals $47,461 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Gresham

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Gresham's 172, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $459,000. The $244,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,864 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,450/mo in Gresham, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 101 in Gresham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $480/month in Gresham. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 96 in Gresham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $384 in Gresham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 103 in Gresham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $69,600 in Gresham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $54,375 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,624/month in Gresham. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 89 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 36.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $118,519 in Gresham, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Gresham's is 172 with median homes at $459,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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