$100k salary, packing up from Washington

change
Portland, OR cityscape

swapping out of washington

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

$550

less monthly outlay than Washington

The gap is real. Portland costs noticeably less than Washington, every month.
landable, recorded on the portland entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,781/mo

24% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)

02state income tax

8.75%

$21/mo more in state tax than Washington

vs 8.5% in Washington

03after rent

$5,823/mo

$550 more than Washington

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

04a house here

$562k

10% cheaper than Washington

vs $626k in Washington

05metro size

2.5M

vs 6.3M in Washington

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

178

pleasant days a year, in portland.

Washington keeps to 177 pleasant days a year.

Comparable to Washington for events and concerts.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

87/100

0% lower than Washington

vs 87/100 in Washington

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

·walk score®

100/100

2% higher than Washington

vs 98/100 in Washington

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

57

64% fewer than Washington

vs 160 nonstops in Washington

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