Median rent is 9% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $581,500. Households earn more in Portland ($90,919 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Portland is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.5 against 102.5 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Portland, OR.
Cost of living verdict
Portland is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.5 in Portland vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Portland, OR
How much would you need to earn in Portland, OR to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$74,284
You could earn $716 less (1% 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
Fort Worth
Texas
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Portland (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Portland: the median home is $581,500 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 48% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
Portland
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Portland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Portland (avg AQI 26.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Portland if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,919/yr).
Portland is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Portland.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,655/mo in Portland, OR. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 9%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $90,919 in Portland, OR. Portland, OR has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,045 in Portland, OR (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
