$100k salary, packing up from Durham

change
Portland, OR cityscape

next stop after durham

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

$451

more each month than Durham ran you

Portland costs more than Durham, 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

6% more expensive than Durham(vs $1,684/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$354/mo more in state tax than Durham

vs 4.5% in Durham

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$451 less than Durham

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

04a house here

$562k

36% more expensive than Durham

vs $415k in Durham

05metro size

2.5M

vs 609k in Durham

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Durham only logs 178 pleasant days.

Nights and weekends fill up faster. 3.5× more on the calendar than Durham.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

74% higher than Durham

vs 50/100 in Durham

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

·walk score®

100/100

25% higher than Durham

vs 80/100 in Durham

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

46% more than Durham

vs 39 nonstops in Durham

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as portland:

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