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Cost of Living: Denver, CO 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.

1.8% Portland, OR is more expensive overall
4.5% 4.5% more expensive housing
2.0% 2.0% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 4.5% more
Denver
132
Portland
138
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Denver
101
Portland
103
🚗 Transportation 2.9% more
Denver
105
Portland
108
🏥 Healthcare 2.9% more
Denver
104
Portland
107
⚡ Utilities 8.3% cheaper
Denver
96
Portland
88

Detailed Breakdown

Category Denver, CO Portland, OR Difference
Overall Cost Index112114~Same
Housing1321384.5% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,620$1,5504.3% less
Median Home Price$540,000$485,00010.2% less
Groceries101103~Same
Transportation1051082.9% more
Healthcare1041072.9% more
Utilities96888.3% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Denver, CO Portland, OR
State Income Tax4.40%8.75% (top)
State Sales Tax2.90%None (0%)
Avg Property Tax Rate0.49%0.82%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneYes

What You'd Need to Earn

Denver, CO
$82,000
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 Denver lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Denver (112) vs Portland (114). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Denver3.5%
Portland4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Denver3.6%
Portland2.2%
Top Industries
DenverTech, Aerospace, Energy
PortlandTech, Manufacturing, Creative

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Denver27 min
Portland27 min
Walk Score
Denver61
Portland65
Air Quality (AQI)
Denver45
Portland42
Avg Temperature
Denver51°F
Portland54°F
Population
Denver713,252
Portland652,503

Moving from Denver to Portland?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Denver 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver or Portland cheaper to live in?+
Denver is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 4.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Denver vs Portland?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,620/month in Denver and $1,550/month in Portland — a difference of about $70 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Denver or Portland?+
Colorado has a state income tax of 4.40% and sales tax of 2.90%. 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 Denver to Portland?+
Median household income in Denver is $82,000 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 Denver vs Portland?+
The median home price in Denver is $540,000 versus $485,000 in Portland — a difference of $55,000. Property tax rates also differ: Colorado averages 0.49% while Oregon averages 0.82%.