Portland wins overall by ~17% (COL index)
Cost of living: Portland vs Seattle (2026)
A $86,000 salary in Portland buys roughly what $103,200 does in Seattle (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,268/yr
Favoring Portland for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $106/mo in Portland, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Portland Oregon | Seattle Washington | Who wins | Your impact at $86K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $1,900 | Portland wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Portland |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900Wins | $2,400 | Portland wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Portland |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,500Wins | $3,300 | Portland wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Portland |
| Median home price | $490KWins | $750K | Portland wins +$260K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 107Better | 108 | Portland wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16Better | $18 | Portland wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65Better | $70 | Portland wins +$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100Better | $100 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.80Better | $4.20 | Portland wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $150Better | $160 | Portland wins +$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $130 | $120Better | Seattle wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $75K | $97KWins | Seattle wins +$22K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 0.0%Wins | Seattle wins -9.9 pp | $8,514/yr saves in Seattle |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 0.0%Wins | 10.3% | Portland wins +10.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $17.00 | Portland wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $50Wins | $60 | Portland wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Wins | $8.00 | Portland wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 125Wins | 150 | Portland wins +25 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 63 | 73Wins | Seattle wins +10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$8,520/yr tax difference into cash back
Portland fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Portland.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Seattle and Portland sit 170 miles apart and are often compared as tech-friendly Pacific Northwest alternatives. Seattle has no state income tax and a much larger tech job market (Amazon, Microsoft). Portland has no sales tax but Oregon's income tax runs to 9.9% — the combination matters more than either rate alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portland cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. Portland is 17% cheaper than Seattle based on overall cost of living indices (125 vs 150, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Portland vs Seattle?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Portland is $1,900/month and in Seattle is $2,400/month. Portland is cheaper by 21%.
How much do I need to earn in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Portland?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $90,000/year in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in Portland. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Portland or Seattle?
Seattle has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 9.9%. Seattle has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Portland to Seattle?
It depends on your priorities. Portland offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Portland ↔ Seattle
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