Kept

City vs city

Portland vs San Francisco

$100,000 in Portland buys a lifestyle closer to $146,000 in San Francisco, because San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 178 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

San Francisco

Tech wages are high, but housing absorbs a large share of even six-figure take-home pay.

COL index
178
Typical 1-bed
$3,300/mo
Comfortable salary
$151,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full San Francisco guide

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