Cost of Living · Updated June 2026
Portland vs Austin Cost of Living Comparison
Austin is about 3% cheaper than Portland overall in 2026. A single professional spends about $2,899 per month in Portland and $2,825 in Austin, all-in with centre rent – and to match the lifestyle a $100,000 salary buys in Portland, you would need roughly $96,900 in Austin.
The biggest lever is housing: a one-bedroom in the centre runs $1,800 in Portland versus $1,850 in Austin (+3%). Day-to-day costs differ less – groceries ($480 vs $460), utilities ($200 vs $170), and a transit pass ($100 vs $42) – which is why flat CPI comparisons mislead people who rent in the centre.
If you are planning the move itself, pair this page with the relocation budget calculator – the one-off cost of moving between Portland and Austin typically lands in the four figures before deposits.
Cost of living calculator
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Composite 2026 index incl. centre rent (NYC = 100). Salary figures are gross – taxes not included; pair with the salary after tax calculator.
Key insights
Key insights
- $100,000 in Portland ≈ $96,900 in Austin on the 2026 composite index.
- Centre rent gap: $1,800 vs $1,850 for a one-bedroom (+3% in Austin).
- All-in single budgets: $2,899/month in Portland vs $2,825/month in Austin.
- Family of four: $5,590 vs $5,438 per month.
- Local purchasing power favours Austin when you earn the local average salary.
| Expense | Portland | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent – 1-bed, city centre | $1,800 | $1,850 | +3% |
| Rent – 1-bed, outside centre | $1,500 | $1,500 | +0% |
| Rent – 3-bed, city centre | $3,200 | $3,300 | +3% |
| Groceries (single person) | $480 | $460 | -4% |
| Utilities + internet | $200 | $170 | -15% |
| Public transport pass | $100 | $42 | -58% |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $22 | $22 | +0% |
| All-in single person budget | $2,899 | $2,825 | -3% |
| All-in family of 4 budget | $5,590 | $5,438 | -3% |
How the Portland → Austin salary equivalence works
MovingCal scores every city on a composite 2026 cost index that includes rent (New York = 100). Portland scores 65; Austin scores 63. Equivalent salary is your current salary multiplied by 63/65 – so $100,000 in Portland ≈ $96,900 in Austin.
Index math is a starting point, not a verdict. Two corrections matter: taxes (gross pay buys different net pay – check the salary after tax calculator for both locations) and housing choice (renting outside the centre cuts the gap to $0/month between these two cities).
Affordability analysis: who comes out ahead?
Measured against local average net salaries ($5,400/month in Portland, $6,000/month in Austin), a single person's budget consumes 54% of typical take-home pay in Portland and 47% in Austin. Austin is the easier city to save in on a local salary.
Buying instead of renting changes the picture: property runs $5,600/m² in Portland versus $5,300/m² in Austin, with typical 2026 mortgage rates of 6.3% and 6.3% respectively. See the rent vs buy pages for both cities before assuming ownership is cheaper.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Portland in 2026?
Austin is about 3% cheaper than Portland overall. A single person needs about $2,899 per month in Portland versus $2,825 in Austin, including rent in the city centre.
What salary in Austin equals $100,000 in Portland?
Based on the 2026 composite cost index (including rent), you would need roughly $96,900 in Austin to keep the purchasing power of a $100,000 salary in Portland. Taxes differ too, so run the salary-after-tax calculator for the net picture.
How much higher is rent in Austin?
A one-bedroom in the centre averages $1,800 in Portland and $1,850 in Austin – a gap of 3%. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the total difference.
How much does a family of 4 need in Portland vs Austin?
Plan on about $5,590 per month in Portland and $5,438 in Austin for a family of four renting a three-bedroom in the centre, including groceries, utilities, transport, and a lifestyle margin.
How is this comparison calculated?
MovingCal combines 2026 rent, grocery, utility, transport, and dining estimates into a composite index (New York = 100). Portland scores 65 and Austin scores 63. Equivalent salary = your salary × (63 ÷ 65).
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