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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Portland

Oregon
138

San Francisco is 93% more expensive than Portland.

$2,419/mo ↑ 52%
Median Rent
$1,596/mo ↓ 34%
$141,446/yr ↑ 59%
Median Income
$88,792/yr ↓ 37%
$1,380,500 ↑ 148%
Home Value
$557,600 ↓ 60%
$2,620/mo ↑ 48%
Owner Costs
$1,771/mo ↓ 32%
836,321
Population
642,715

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 138 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $823/month cheaper in Portland, saving renters about $9,876/year.

Median household income is $52,654/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $557,600 in Portland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Portland — common questions

Is San Francisco or Portland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Portland is cheaper to live in with an index of 138 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Portland?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Portland it's $1,596/month — a difference of $823/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Portland?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $88,792 in Portland. Median household income is $52,654/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Oregon?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Oregon has 9.9% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Portland?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Portland details →

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