Median rent is 14% lower in Portland ($1,655/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Portland, where the median home runs $581,500 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Portland ($90,919 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Portland is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 101.5 against 114.7 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Portland, OR.
Cost of living verdict
Portland is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 101.5 in Portland vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Portland, OR
How much would you need to earn in Portland, OR to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$66,348
You could earn $8,652 less (12% 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
Los Angeles
California
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 Portland at $1,655/mo compared to $1,933/mo in Los Angeles (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $581,500 in Portland — 37% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
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.
Los Angeles
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 114.7).
Pick Portland if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,919/yr).
Pick Portland if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Portland is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 101.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Portland.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,655/mo in Portland, OR. Portland, OR has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA 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.
Portland, OR has better air quality on average: 26.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $88,464 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
