City comparison
Portland vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Portland (120.2) and Austin (116.9).
Portland Index
120.2
Austin Index
116.9
Portland Rent
$2,675
Austin Rent
$2,675
Portland Home price
$500,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Portland to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,364
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Portland and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Portland | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 145 | 146 | +1.0 (+0.7%) |
| Groceries | 112 | 103 | -9.0 (-8.0%) |
| Transportation | 107 | 102 | -5.0 (-4.7%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 99 | -5.0 (-4.8%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 109 | 104 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,440 / $5,310
Portland / Austin
Couple
$9,030 / $8,810
Portland / Austin
Family
$12,730 / $12,430
Portland / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Portland city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Portland.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.