$100k a year, no longer in Lexington

change
Portland, OR cityscape

swapping out of lexington

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

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#2

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Affordable cities near national parks and wilderness

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Most walkable cities in America

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Best cities for families who love the outdoors

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Best cities for mild four-season weather

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Best places to move in 2026

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Best cities for parks and green space

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Best cities for a $100k salary

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Best cities for cyclists

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$647

the monthly cost of moving past Lexington

Portland costs more than Lexington, 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

20% more expensive than Lexington(vs $1,488/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$354/mo more in state tax than Lexington

vs 4.5% in Lexington

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$647 less than Lexington

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

04a house here

$562k

73% more expensive than Lexington

vs $324k in Lexington

05metro size

2.5M

vs 520k in Lexington

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Lexington only logs 171 pleasant days.

2.9× the events of Lexington, and the calendar shows it.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

45% higher than Lexington

vs 60/100 in Lexington

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

·walk score®

100/100

14% higher than Lexington

vs 88/100 in Lexington

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

338% more than Lexington

vs 13 nonstops in Lexington

04 · see also

cities that play in portland's register:

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