$100k salary, packing up from New York

change
Portland, OR cityscape

swapping out of new york

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

$1,713

under New York, every month

Move to Portland and the monthly math gets easier. New York's rent is the headline; Portland's is a footnote.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

47% cheaper than New York(vs $3,329/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$165/mo less in state tax than New York

vs 10.73% in New York

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$1,713 more than New York

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

04a house here

$562k

24% cheaper than New York

vs $739k in New York

05metro size

2.5M

vs 19.5M in New York

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

New York keeps to 171 pleasant days a year.

Lighter on events: New York packs 31.8× more into a month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

12% higher than New York

vs 78/100 in New York

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

·walk score®

100/100

0% lower than New York

vs 100/100 in New York

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

73% fewer than New York

vs 215 nonstops in New York

04 · see also

neighbors of portland on the map of tradeoffs:

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