$100k a year, no longer in Charlotte

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of charlotte

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

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$407

the monthly cost of moving past Charlotte

Portland costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

3% more expensive than Charlotte(vs $1,728/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$354/mo more in state tax than Charlotte

vs 4.5% in Charlotte

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$407 less than Charlotte

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

04a house here

$562k

44% more expensive than Charlotte

vs $391k in Charlotte

05metro size

2.5M

vs 2.8M in Charlotte

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Charlotte actually gets more: 200 pleasant days a year.

Things to do run about even with Charlotte.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

71% higher than Charlotte

vs 51/100 in Charlotte

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

·walk score®

100/100

6% higher than Charlotte

vs 94/100 in Charlotte

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

60% fewer than Charlotte

vs 141 nonstops in Charlotte

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