Is Spokane, WA cheaper or more expensive than Portland, OR?

Spokane, WA (RPP 102.7) is cheaper than Portland, OR (RPP 108.8) by about 5.6%.

What salary do I need in Spokane, WA if I earn $100,000 in Portland, OR?

You would need approximately $94,393 in Spokane, WA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Portland, OR. Formula: $100,000 x (102.7 / 108.8).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Portland, OR or Spokane, WA?

For 2021-2022, Portland, OR had a net loss of 9,476 people, while Spokane, WA had a net gain of 2,477 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Portland, OR vs Spokane, WA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Portland, OR and Spokane, WA. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Portland, OR

Overall RPP (US=100): 108.8
Housing RPP: 128.5
Goods RPP: 109.1
2-BR median rent: $2,024/mo

Oregon income tax 4.75%-9.9%. No state sales tax.

Spokane, WA

Overall RPP (US=100): 102.7
Housing RPP: 92.1
Goods RPP: 109.2
2-BR median rent: $1,304/mo

Washington has no state income tax.

Equivalent salary

Spokane, WA is cheaper than Portland, OR by about 5.6% (RPP 108.8 to 102.7).

$60,000 in Portland, OR

-> $56,636

in Spokane, WA

$100,000 in Portland, OR

-> $94,393

in Spokane, WA

$150,000 in Portland, OR

-> $141,590

in Spokane, WA

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Portland, OR vs Spokane, WA

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Portland, OR

Net people: −9,476
Net rank: #48 of 65
Top origin share: 3%
Top destination share: 3%

Largest source: Marion County, OR. Largest destination: Marion County, OR.

Spokane, WA

Net people: +2,477
Net rank: #24 of 65
Top origin share: 8%
Top destination share: 8%

Largest source: Kootenai County, ID. Largest destination: Kootenai County, ID.

Rent delta: Spokane, WA is $720/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Portland, OR. Housing RPP moves from 128.5 to 92.1.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Spokane, WA cheaper or more expensive than Portland, OR?: Spokane, WA (RPP 102.7) is cheaper than Portland, OR (RPP 108.8) by about 5.6%.
What salary do I need in Spokane, WA if I earn $100,000 in Portland, OR?: You would need approximately $94,393 in Spokane, WA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Portland, OR. Formula: $100,000 x (102.7 / 108.8).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Portland, OR or Spokane, WA?: For 2021-2022, Portland, OR had a net loss of 9,476 people, while Spokane, WA had a net gain of 2,477 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Related comparisons

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