Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Portland, OR (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Portland

Oregon
138

Austin is 3% cheaper than Portland.

$1,655/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,596/mo ↓ 4%
$91,461/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$88,792/yr ↓ 3%
$512,700 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$557,600 ↑ 9%
$1,747/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,771/mo ↑ 1%
967,862
Population
642,715

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Portland, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $59/month cheaper in Portland, saving renters about $708/year.

Median household income is $2,669/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $557,600 in Portland.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Oregon's 9.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Portland — common questions

Is Austin or Portland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Portland?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Portland it's $1,596/month — a difference of $59/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Portland?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $88,792 in Portland. Median household income is $2,669/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Oregon?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Portland?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Portland has a cost index of 138 with rent of $1,596/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Portland details →

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