with $100k coming in, swapping out of Salem

change
Portland, OR cityscape

from salem

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

$139

pricier each month than Salem

A small premium for Portland. Worth it only if the rest of the city earns it back.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

8% more expensive than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

vs 8.75% in Salem

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$139 less than Salem

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

04a house here

$562k

24% more expensive than Salem

vs $452k in Salem

05metro size

2.5M

vs 437k in Salem

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Salem has the edge here, logging 201 pleasant days a year.

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

87/100

26% higher than Salem

vs 69/100 in Salem

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

·walk score®

100/100

14% higher than Salem

vs 88/100 in Salem

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

0% fewer than Salem

vs 0 nonstops in Salem

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