Quick answer
Austin is 49% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $51,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Austin 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 49% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+4% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$51,000
Portland vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$1,650/mo
+4%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$2,100/mo
+6%
Median home price
$498K
$548K
+10%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$380
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$175
+46%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
67/100
41/100
Portland better
Transit score
51/100
34/100
Portland better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$30,000
$118,000
$80,000
$41,000
$158,000
$100,000
$51,000
$197,000
$120,000
$61,000
$237,000
$150,000
$76,000
$296,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Portland vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Portland or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 49% 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 Austin to match $100K in Portland?
$51,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+4% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Austin?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (+4%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (+6%).
Does Portland or Austin have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,900.