$100k salary, packing up from Des Moines

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Portland, OR cityscape

next stop after des moines

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

$742

the monthly cost of moving past Des Moines

Portland costs more than Des Moines, 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

40% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$229/mo more in state tax than Des Moines

vs 6% in Des Moines

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$742 less than Des Moines

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

04a house here

$562k

88% more expensive than Des Moines

vs $300k in Des Moines

05metro size

2.5M

vs 737k in Des Moines

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Des Moines only logs 151 pleasant days.

A month here packs 2.7× the events of Des Moines.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

58% higher than Des Moines

vs 55/100 in Des Moines

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

·walk score®

100/100

28% higher than Des Moines

vs 78/100 in Des Moines

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

235% more than Des Moines

vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines

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