Kept

City vs city

Portland vs Austin

$100,000 in Portland buys a lifestyle closer to $98,000 in Austin, because Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 versus 122.

Portland

No sales tax, relatively high income tax, and housing that cooled after the 2021 spike.

COL index
122
Typical 1-bed
$1,650/mo
Comfortable salary
$104,000
$100k take-home
$71,004
Full Portland guide

Austin

No state income tax. Rents fell from the 2022 peak but remain above most Texas metros.

COL index
119
Typical 1-bed
$1,650/mo
Comfortable salary
$101,000
$100k take-home
$79,180
Full Austin guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego