on $100k a year, leaving Houston

change
Portland, OR cityscape

swapping out of houston

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

$900

pricier each month than Houston

Portland is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

11% more expensive than Houston(vs $1,610/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$729/mo more in state tax than Houston

vs 0% in Houston

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$900 less than Houston

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

04a house here

$562k

81% more expensive than Houston

vs $311k in Houston

05metro size

2.5M

vs 7.5M in Houston

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Houston only logs 171 pleasant days.

Lighter on events: Houston packs 1.7× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

58% higher than Houston

vs 55/100 in Houston

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

·walk score®

100/100

30% higher than Houston

vs 77/100 in Houston

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

68% fewer than Houston

vs 176 nonstops in Houston

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