Salary comparison
Painters, Construction and Maintenance: Portland vs Rockford
Rockford, IL pays about 15.2% more for painters, construction and maintenance on paper — $72,700 vs $63,120. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Rockford comes out ahead by $9,580 a year in real buying power.
Portland, ME
$63,120
$54,180
$64,510
$30.35
100
$63,120/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Rockford, IL
$72,700
$54,300
$95,000
$34.95
100
$72,700/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $9,580 a year (15.2%) in favor of Rockford. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Portland runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Rockford sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Rockford is the better deal by $9,580 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Portland to Rockford for this role, the raise needs to beat 15.2% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do painters, construction and maintenance earn more, Portland or Rockford?
Rockford pays $72,700 on median — about 15.2% more than Portland ($63,120). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Rockford. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Rockford gives you roughly$72,700 of real buying power versus $63,120 in the other city.