Quick answer
Portland is 1% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $101,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Boston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Portland is 1% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+64% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$101,000
Portland vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$2,600/mo
+64%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$3,400/mo
+72%
Median home price
$498K
$720K
+45%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$420
+5%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$160
+33%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
5%
Boston saves
Walk score
67/100
83/100
Boston better
Transit score
51/100
75/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Boston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$60,000
$60,000
$80,000
$80,000
$80,000
$100,000
$101,000
$99,000
$120,000
$121,000
$119,000
$150,000
$151,000
$149,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Portland vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is Portland or Boston cheaper to live in?
Portland is 1% cheaper than Boston overall. Portland 1BR rent ($1,590/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Portland $498K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in Portland?
$101,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+64% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Boston?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (+64%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (+72%).
Does Portland or Boston have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,900.