Median rent is 23% lower in Portland ($1,655/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Portland, where the median home runs $581,500 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $90,919 a year). Taken together, Portland is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.5 against 110.4 — about 8% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Portland is 8% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.5 in Portland vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Portland, OR
How much would you need to earn in Portland, OR to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$68,966
You could earn $6,034 less (8% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Boston
Massachusetts
Portland
Oregon
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Portland — median rent of $1,655/mo versus $2,147/mo in Boston, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boston: the median home is $731,700 versus $581,500 in Portland — 21% more expensive.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Portland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Portland has cleaner air on average: 26.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Portland if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 101.5 vs 110.4).
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Portland if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Is Boston cheaper than Portland?
Portland is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.5 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 8% lower in Portland.
How much is rent in Boston vs Portland?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,655/mo in Portland, OR. Portland, OR has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Portland?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $90,919 in Portland, OR. Boston, MA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Portland, OR has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Portland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Portland to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $91,954 in Portland, OR (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
