$100k a year, no longer in Rochester

change
Portland, OR cityscape

instead of rochester

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

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#2

of 10

Affordable cities near national parks and wilderness

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#6

of 10

Best cities for young professionals

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#5

of 10

Most walkable cities in America

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#3

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Best affordable cities to live car-free

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Best cities for families who love the outdoors

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Best cities for live music and arts

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Best cities for health and wellness

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Most livable cities in America

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Best cities for mild four-season weather

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#9

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Best places to move in 2026

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#3

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Best cities for parks and green space

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#5

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Best cities for work-life balance

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#8

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Best cities for a $75k salary

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#10

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Best cities for a $100k salary

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Best cities for outdoor athletes

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#8

of 10

Best cities for cyclists

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of 10

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Best cities for dog owners

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$489

the monthly cost of moving past Rochester

Portland costs more than Rochester, 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

16% more expensive than Rochester(vs $1,534/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$242/mo more in state tax than Rochester

vs 5.85% in Rochester

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$489 less than Rochester

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

04a house here

$562k

106% more expensive than Rochester

vs $273k in Rochester

05metro size

2.5M

vs 1.1M in Rochester

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Rochester only logs 147 pleasant days.

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

87/100

50% higher than Rochester

vs 58/100 in Rochester

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

·walk score®

100/100

45% higher than Rochester

vs 69/100 in Rochester

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

217% more than Rochester

vs 18 nonstops in Rochester

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