with $100k coming in, swapping out of Milwaukee

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of milwaukee

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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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 cities for parks and green space

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$484

the monthly premium over Milwaukee

Portland costs more than Milwaukee, 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

18% more expensive than Milwaukee(vs $1,504/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$207/mo more in state tax than Milwaukee

vs 6.27% in Milwaukee

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$484 less than Milwaukee

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

04a house here

$562k

43% more expensive than Milwaukee

vs $394k in Milwaukee

05metro size

2.5M

vs 1.6M in Milwaukee

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Milwaukee only logs 149 pleasant days.

76% more happening than in Milwaukee.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

43% higher than Milwaukee

vs 61/100 in Milwaukee

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

·walk score®

100/100

2% higher than Milwaukee

vs 98/100 in Milwaukee

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

90% more than Milwaukee

vs 30 nonstops in Milwaukee

04 · see also

in the same ballpark as portland:

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