Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Portland

Oregon
138
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Portland is 20% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,596/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 27%
$88,792/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 28%
$557,600 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 25%
$1,771/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 23%
642,715
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

9.9%
Income Tax
5.75%
0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Portland, OR and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $435/month cheaper in Portland, saving renters about $5,220/year.

Median household income is $24,846/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Portland is $557,600 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portland vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Portland or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Portland is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Alexandria?
Median rent in Portland is $1,596/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $435/month.
Which city has higher income, Portland or Alexandria?
Median household income is $88,792 in Portland and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $24,846/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Oregon and Virginia?
Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Portland or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Portland has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,596/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Portland details → View Alexandria details →

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