$100k salary, packing up from Memphis

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of memphis

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

$1,074

the monthly cost of moving past Memphis

A real premium for Portland. Worth it only if the city itself is the whole point.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

24% more expensive than Memphis(vs $1,436/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$729/mo more in state tax than Memphis

vs 0% in Memphis

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$1,074 less than Memphis

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

04a house here

$562k

131% more expensive than Memphis

vs $244k in Memphis

05metro size

2.5M

vs 1.3M in Memphis

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Memphis actually gets more: 185 pleasant days a year.

242% more happening than in Memphis.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

55% higher than Memphis

vs 56/100 in Memphis

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

·walk score®

100/100

12% higher than Memphis

vs 89/100 in Memphis

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

78% more than Memphis

vs 32 nonstops in Memphis

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