Quick answer
Seattle is 35% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $65,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 35% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+32% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$65,000
Portland vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$2,100/mo
+32%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$2,750/mo
+39%
Median home price
$498K
$780K
+57%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$430
+8%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$130
+8%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
67/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
51/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$39,000
$92,000
$80,000
$52,000
$123,000
$100,000
$65,000
$153,000
$120,000
$78,000
$184,000
$150,000
$98,000
$230,000
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 Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Portland or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 35% cheaper than Portland overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Portland?
$65,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+32% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Seattle?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+32%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+39%).
Does Portland or Seattle have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,900.