Seattle, WA vs Portland, OR: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
Seattle, WA
WA
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 113.7
- Housing RPP
- 154.8
- Goods RPP
- 116.2
- 2-BR median rent
- $2,645/mo
Washington has no state income tax. Sales tax 6.5%+local up to 10.5%.
Portland, OR
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.
Equivalent salary
Portland, OR is cheaper than Seattle, WA by about 4.3% (RPP 113.7 to 108.8).
$60,000 in Seattle, WA
-> $57,414
in Portland, OR
$100,000 in Seattle, WA
-> $95,690
in Portland, OR
$150,000 in Seattle, WA
-> $143,536
in Portland, OR
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.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Portland, OR cheaper or more expensive than Seattle, WA?
- Portland, OR (RPP 108.8) is cheaper than Seattle, WA (RPP 113.7) by about 4.3%.
- What salary do I need in Portland, OR if I earn $100,000 in Seattle, WA?
- You would need approximately $95,690 in Portland, OR to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Seattle, WA. Formula: $100,000 x (108.8 / 113.7).