Quick answer
Raleigh is 48% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $148,000 in Portland.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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
Raleigh is 48% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+7% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$148,000
Raleigh vs Portland: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$1,590/mo
+7%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$1,980/mo
+6%
Median home price
$420K
$498K
+19%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$400
+14%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$120
-17%
State income tax
4.5%
Up to 9.9%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
34/100
67/100
Portland better
Transit score
25/100
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 Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$89,000
$41,000
$80,000
$118,000
$54,000
$100,000
$148,000
$68,000
$120,000
$178,000
$81,000
$150,000
$222,000
$101,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Portland
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Portland cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 48% cheaper than Portland overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Portland to match $100K in Raleigh?
$148,000 in Portland is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+7% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Portland: Up to 9.9%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Portland?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Portland $1,590/mo (+7%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Portland $1,980/mo (+6%).
Does Raleigh or Portland have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,400.