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Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs Memphis, TN

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

24.6% Memphis, TN is cheaper overall
49.3% 49.3% cheaper housing
10.7% 10.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 49.3% cheaper
Portland
138
Memphis
70
🛒 Groceries 10.7% cheaper
Portland
103
Memphis
92
🚗 Transportation 11.1% cheaper
Portland
108
Memphis
96
🏥 Healthcare 15.9% cheaper
Portland
107
Memphis
90
⚡ Utilities 11.4% more
Portland
88
Memphis
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Portland, OR Memphis, TN Difference
Overall Cost Index1148624.6% less
Housing1387049.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,550$95038.7% less
Median Home Price$485,000$165,00066.0% less
Groceries1039210.7% less
Transportation1089611.1% less
Healthcare1079015.9% less
Utilities889811.4% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Portland, OR Memphis, TN
State Income Tax8.75% (top)None (0%)
State Sales TaxNone (0%)7.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.82%0.56%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Portland, OR
$79,000
Median household income
Memphis, TN
$48,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Memphis 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 Memphis to maintain your Portland lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Portland (114) vs Memphis (86). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Portland4.3%
Memphis4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Portland2.2%
Memphis1.9%
Top Industries
PortlandTech, Manufacturing, Creative
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Portland27 min
Memphis24 min
Walk Score
Portland65
Memphis34
Air Quality (AQI)
Portland42
Memphis44
Avg Temperature
Portland54°F
Memphis63°F
Population
Portland652,503
Memphis633,104

Moving from Portland to Memphis?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland or Memphis cheaper to live in?+
Memphis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 49.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Portland vs Memphis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,550/month in Portland and $950/month in Memphis — a difference of about $600 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Portland or Memphis?+
Oregon has a state income tax of 8.75% (top) and sales tax of None (0%). Tennessee has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 7.00%. 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 Portland to Memphis?+
Median household income in Portland is $79,000 compared to $48,000 in Memphis. 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 Portland vs Memphis?+
The median home price in Portland is $485,000 versus $165,000 in Memphis — a difference of $320,000. Property tax rates also differ: Oregon averages 0.82% while Tennessee averages 0.56%.