Quick answer
Austin is 97% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $197,000 in Portland.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Portland Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 97% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-4% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$197,000
Austin vs Portland: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,590/mo
-4%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,980/mo
-6%
Median home price
$548K
$498K
-9%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$400
+5%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$120
-31%
State income tax
None
Up to 9.9%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
67/100
Portland better
Transit score
34/100
51/100
Portland better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Portland to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$118,000
$30,000
$80,000
$158,000
$41,000
$100,000
$197,000
$51,000
$120,000
$237,000
$61,000
$150,000
$296,000
$76,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Portland
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
FAQs
Is Austin or Portland cheaper to live in?
Austin is 97% cheaper than Portland overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Portland to match $100K in Austin?
$197,000 in Portland is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-4% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Portland: Up to 9.9%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Portland?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Portland $1,590/mo (-4%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Portland $1,980/mo (-6%).
Does Austin or Portland have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,900.