City comparison
Washington vs Portland Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Portland (120.2).
Washington Index
142.9
Portland Index
120.2
Washington Rent
$3,800
Portland Rent
$2,675
Washington Home price
$705,000
Portland Home price
$500,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Portland.
Equivalent salary in Portland
$100,097
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Portland.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 145 | -56.0 (-27.9%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 112 | -5.0 (-4.3%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 107 | -2.0 (-1.8%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 104 | -7.0 (-6.3%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 109 | -9.0 (-7.6%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $5,440
Washington / Portland
Couple
$11,160 / $9,030
Washington / Portland
Family
$15,720 / $12,730
Washington / Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
View Portland city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Portland.
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.