$100k salary, packing up from Portland
changea dispatch from
raleigh
NC
35.78°N
78.64°W
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
in our guides
the verdict
less monthly outlay than Portland
The gap is real. Raleigh costs noticeably less than Portland, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
7% cheaper than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
4.5%
$354/mo less in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$6,295/mo
$472 more than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
22% cheaper than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
1.5M
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Portland keeps to 178 pleasant days a year.
Portland hosts 2.6× more events.
58/100
33% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
3% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
39
32% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
same energy as raleigh, different zip code:
