$100k salary, packing up from Grand Rapids

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of grand rapids

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

$536

the monthly premium over Grand Rapids

Portland costs more than Grand Rapids, 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

10% more expensive than Grand Rapids(vs $1,620/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$375/mo more in state tax than Grand Rapids

vs 4.25% in Grand Rapids

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$536 less than Grand Rapids

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

04a house here

$562k

59% more expensive than Grand Rapids

vs $353k in Grand Rapids

05metro size

2.5M

vs 1.2M in Grand Rapids

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Grand Rapids only logs 151 pleasant days.

1.8× the events of Grand Rapids, and the calendar shows it.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

55% higher than Grand Rapids

vs 56/100 in Grand Rapids

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

·walk score®

100/100

3% higher than Grand Rapids

vs 97/100 in Grand Rapids

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

185% more than Grand Rapids

vs 20 nonstops in Grand Rapids

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