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Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Portland, OR

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

10.7% Portland, OR is more expensive overall
16.9% 16.9% more expensive housing
7.3% 7.3% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 16.9% more
Austin
118
Portland
138
🛒 Groceries 7.3% more
Austin
96
Portland
103
🚗 Transportation 10.2% more
Austin
98
Portland
108
🏥 Healthcare 10.3% more
Austin
97
Portland
107
⚡ Utilities 11.1% cheaper
Austin
99
Portland
88

Detailed Breakdown

Category Austin, TX Portland, OR Difference
Overall Cost Index10311410.7% more
Housing11813816.9% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,450$1,5506.9% more
Median Home Price$425,000$485,00014.1% more
Groceries961037.3% more
Transportation9810810.2% more
Healthcare9710710.3% more
Utilities998811.1% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Austin, TX Portland, OR
State Income TaxNone (0%)8.75% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%None (0%)
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.82%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneYes

What You'd Need to Earn

Austin, TX
$85,000
Median household income
Portland, OR
$79,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Portland costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Portland to maintain your Austin lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Austin (103) vs Portland (114). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Austin3.2%
Portland4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Austin4.1%
Portland2.2%
Top Industries
AustinTech, Government, Healthcare
PortlandTech, Manufacturing, Creative

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Austin28 min
Portland27 min
Walk Score
Austin41
Portland65
Air Quality (AQI)
Austin38
Portland42
Avg Temperature
Austin68°F
Portland54°F
Population
Austin979,882
Portland652,503

Moving from Austin to Portland?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Austin and Portland → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Portland →

Compare Other Cities

Austin vs Denver → Austin vs Nashville → Austin vs Raleigh → Portland vs Phoenix → Portland vs Chicago → Portland vs Miami →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Portland cheaper to live in?+
Austin is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 16.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Portland?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,450/month in Austin and $1,550/month in Portland — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Austin or Portland?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Oregon has a state income tax of 8.75% (top) and sales tax of None (0%). Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Austin to Portland?+
Median household income in Austin is $85,000 compared to $79,000 in Portland. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Austin vs Portland?+
The median home price in Austin is $425,000 versus $485,000 in Portland — a difference of $60,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Oregon averages 0.82%.