with $100k coming in, swapping out of Las Vegas

change
Portland, OR cityscape

next stop after las vegas

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

$779

more expensive each month than Las Vegas

You'd pay for Portland. The question is whether the days are worth the difference.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

3% more expensive than Las Vegas(vs $1,731/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$729/mo more in state tax than Las Vegas

vs 0% in Las Vegas

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$779 less than Las Vegas

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

04a house here

$562k

25% more expensive than Las Vegas

vs $451k in Las Vegas

05metro size

2.5M

vs 2.3M in Las Vegas

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Las Vegas has the edge here, logging 210 pleasant days a year.

Las Vegas hosts 28.5× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

9% higher than Las Vegas

vs 80/100 in Las Vegas

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

·walk score®

100/100

22% higher than Las Vegas

vs 82/100 in Las Vegas

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

57% fewer than Las Vegas

vs 133 nonstops in Las Vegas

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