Quick answer
Houston is 62% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $38,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Houston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 62% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-19% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$38,000
Portland vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$1,280/mo
-19%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$1,620/mo
-18%
Median home price
$498K
$305K
-39%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$350
-13%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$190
+58%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
None
Houston saves
Walk score
67/100
48/100
Portland better
Transit score
51/100
36/100
Portland better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$23,000
$159,000
$80,000
$30,000
$212,000
$100,000
$38,000
$265,000
$120,000
$45,000
$318,000
$150,000
$57,000
$398,000
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 Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is Portland or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 62% cheaper than Portland overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in Portland?
$38,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-19% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Houston?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-19%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-18%).
Does Portland or Houston have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$9,900.