$100k salary, packing up from Austin

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of austin

Portland

or · metro 2.5M

photo: Rufina Rusakova / pexels

a dispatch from

portland

OR

45.52°N

122.68°W

Portland is food carts, bridges, donuts shaped like Voodoo dolls, and a low-key obsession with doing things the hard, hand-made way. The 'Keep Portland Weird' bumper sticker is older than most of the influencers who quote it. Mt. Hood pops into view between buildings on clear mornings, and the bike infrastructure puts most American cities to shame. Coffee here is treated like wine.

metro2.5M

in our guides

#5

of 10

Best cities for food and nightlife

read the guide
#2

of 10

Affordable cities near national parks and wilderness

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities for young professionals

read the guide
#5

of 10

Most walkable cities in America

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best affordable cities to live car-free

read the guide
#5

of 10

Most vibrant and affordable cities

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities for families

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities for families who love the outdoors

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities for couples

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities for live music and arts

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities for health and wellness

read the guide
#9

of 10

Most livable cities in America

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for mild four-season weather

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best places to move in 2026

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities for parks and green space

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities for work-life balance

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for a $75k salary

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities for a $100k salary

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for outdoor athletes

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for cyclists

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for foodies

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities for dog owners

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for creatives and artists

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities in the Pacific Northwest

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities to live in your 30s

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$927

the monthly cost of moving past Austin

Portland is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

13% more expensive than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$729/mo more in state tax than Austin

vs 0% in Austin

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$927 less than Austin

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$562k

30% more expensive than Austin

vs $433k in Austin

05metro size

2.5M

vs 2.5M in Austin

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Austin only logs 170 pleasant days.

About as much going on as in Austin.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

55% higher than Austin

vs 56/100 in Austin

Closest outdoor draw: Mt. Hood National Forest, 40.4 mi.

·walk score®

100/100

1% higher than Austin

vs 99/100 in Austin

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

36% more than Austin

vs 42 nonstops in Austin

04 · see also

if portland appeals, also worth a look:

see also

albuquerque

$530/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

cincinnati

$629/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

salt lake city

$515/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare portland with:

AlbuquerqueCincinnatiSalt Lake City