Cost of Living: Portland, OR vs Ontario, CA (2026)

Portland

Oregon
138
VS

Ontario

California
152

Portland is 9% cheaper than Ontario.

$1,596/mo ↓ 17%
Median Rent
$1,916/mo ↑ 20%
$88,792/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$82,806/yr ↓ 7%
$557,600 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$568,000 ↑ 2%
$1,771/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,967/mo ↑ 11%
642,715
Population
178,347

Tax Comparison

9.9%
Income Tax
13.3%
0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Portland, OR and Ontario, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $320/month cheaper in Portland, saving renters about $3,840/year.

Median household income is $5,986/year higher in Portland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Portland is $557,600 compared to $568,000 in Ontario.

Oregon has a lower income tax rate, making Portland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portland vs Ontario — common questions

Is Portland or Ontario cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Portland is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Portland and Ontario?
Median rent in Portland is $1,596/month and in Ontario it's $1,916/month — a difference of $320/month.
Which city has higher income, Portland or Ontario?
Median household income is $88,792 in Portland and $82,806 in Ontario. Median household income is $5,986/year higher in Portland.
How do taxes compare between Oregon and California?
Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Portland or Ontario?
It depends on your priorities. Portland has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,596/mo, while Ontario has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,916/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Portland details → View Ontario details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Portland and Ontario

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