Quick answer
Raleigh is 32% cheaper than Portland overall. A $100K salary in Portland is equivalent to $68,000 in Raleigh.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland vs Raleigh Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Raleigh is 32% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-7% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$68,000
Portland vs Raleigh: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,590/mo
$1,480/mo
-7%
2BR median rent
$1,980/mo
$1,860/mo
-6%
Median home price
$498K
$420K
-16%
Avg monthly groceries
$400
$350
-13%
Avg monthly utilities
$120
$145
+21%
State income tax
Up to 9.9%
4.5%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
67/100
34/100
Portland better
Transit score
51/100
25/100
Portland better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living as your current Portland salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$41,000
$89,000
$80,000
$54,000
$118,000
$100,000
$68,000
$148,000
$120,000
$81,000
$178,000
$150,000
$101,000
$222,000
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 Raleigh
Who Each City Is Best For
Portland is best for
- ✓cyclists
- ✓foodies
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓creatives
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
FAQs
Is Portland or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 32% cheaper than Portland overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Portland ($1,590/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Portland $498K.
How much salary do I need in Raleigh to match $100K in Portland?
$68,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to $100,000 in Portland based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-7% difference) and state taxes (Portland: Up to 9.9% vs Raleigh: 4.5%).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Raleigh?
1BR: Portland $1,590/mo vs Raleigh $1,480/mo (-7%). 2BR: Portland $1,980/mo vs Raleigh $1,860/mo (-6%).
Does Portland or Raleigh have lower taxes?
Portland (OR) has Up to 9.9% state income tax. Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$5,400.