$100k a year, no longer in Denver

change
Portland, OR cityscape

if you left denver

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

$281

more each month than Denver ran you

Portland costs more than Denver, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

4% cheaper than Denver(vs $1,863/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$363/mo more in state tax than Denver

vs 4.4% in Denver

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$281 less than Denver

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

04a house here

$562k

6% cheaper than Denver

vs $599k in Denver

05metro size

2.5M

vs 3.0M in Denver

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Denver only logs 174 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Denver. About 73% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

2% higher than Denver

vs 85/100 in Denver

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

·walk score®

100/100

3% higher than Denver

vs 97/100 in Denver

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

66% fewer than Denver

vs 169 nonstops in Denver

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