Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon (2026)
COL Index
125
100 = US avg
1BR Rent
$1,900
per month
Median HHI
$75K
per year
State Tax
9.9%
income tax
Full cost breakdown
| Category | Portland |
|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | |
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,500 |
| Median home price | $490K |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | |
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 107 |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16 |
| Mid-range dinner (2 people) | $65 |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | |
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100 |
| Gas price/gal | $3.80 |
| Car insurance/moCompare rates → | $150 |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | |
| Utilities bundle (elec + gas + water)/mo | $130 |
| Internet/mo | $65 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | |
| Median household income/yr | $75K |
| State income tax rate | 9.9% |
| Sales tax (combined) | 0.0% |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | |
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 125 |
| Walk score / 100 | 63 |
Is Portland affordable on your salary?
How rent burden (1BR) changes across income levels. Under 30% is comfortable; above 40% is tight.
$40K
~$2,398/mo take-home
79% rent burden · Difficult
$50K
~$2,748/mo take-home
69% rent burden · Difficult
$60K
~$3,298/mo take-home
58% rent burden · Difficult
$75K
~$4,122/mo take-home
46% rent burden · Difficult
$80K
~$4,397/mo take-home
43% rent burden · Tight
$100K
~$5,496/mo take-home
35% rent burden · Manageable
$120K
~$6,165/mo take-home
31% rent burden · Manageable
$150K
~$7,706/mo take-home
25% rent burden · Comfortable
High cost of living cuts into your budget. A cash-back card helps recover it.
Earn 2–5% back on groceries, gas, and dining automatically.
Too expensive? Find cheaper alternatives.
See cities with a lower cost of living than Portland.
Compare Portland with other cities
Portland vs New YorkCompare →Portland vs Los AngelesCompare →Portland vs ChicagoCompare →Portland vs HoustonCompare →Save your comparisonsCreate free account →
Data: Zillow Observed Rent Index, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, US Census ACS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only