Is Portland, OR cheaper than Baltimore, MD?

Based on cost of living data, Portland, OR is 22.6% more expensive than Baltimore, MD. This translates to spending an extra $1698 per month.

What salary do I need in Portland, OR to live like I do in Baltimore, MD?

If you earn $150,000 in Baltimore, MD, you'd need approximately $170,377.358 in Portland, OR to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Baltimore, MD and Portland, OR?

Housing in Portland, OR is 50.8% more expensive than in Baltimore, MD. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,900/month in Portland, OR compared to $1,770/month in Baltimore, MD.

How much can I save per month by moving from Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR?

Living in Portland, OR costs approximately $1698 more per month than Baltimore, MD, or $20377 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Baltimore, MD vs Portland, OR: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Baltimore, MD

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.7K/month more in Portland, OR

$150.0K in your current city equals $170.4K in Portland, OR

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 22.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,698

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$20.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Baltimore, MD

Population:586K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$218K

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:

123

(23% above avg)

Median Home:$535K

Baltimore, MD

The Old Line State

586K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maryland, this city has a population of 586K residents.

Portland, OR

The Beaver State

641K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Craft beer capital
•Foodie destination
•Keep Portland Weird

Major Industries

TechnologyManufacturingFood & BeverageTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Baltimore, MD vs Portland, OR

Category	Baltimore, MD	Portland, OR	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,118/mo	$4,704/mo	↑ $1,585more	50.8%
Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,721/mo	↑ $341more	24.8%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,925/mo	↑ $218more	12.7%
All Utilities	$607/mo	$475/mo	↓ $131less	21.6%
Healthcare	$589/mo	$663/mo	↑ $74.35more	12.6%
Groceries	$1,089/mo	$1,069/mo	↓ $19.99less	1.8%

Housing

↑ 50.8%

Baltimore, MD

$3,118

Portland, OR

$4,704

Difference

$1,585

Transportation

↑ 24.8%

Baltimore, MD

$1,380

Portland, OR

$1,721

Difference

$341

Other

↑ 12.7%

Baltimore, MD

$1,707

Portland, OR

$1,925

Difference

$218

All Utilities

↓ 21.6%

Baltimore, MD

$607

Portland, OR

$475

Difference

$131

less

Healthcare

↑ 12.6%

Baltimore, MD

$589

Portland, OR

$663

Difference

$74.35

Groceries

↓ 1.8%

Baltimore, MD

$1,089

Portland, OR

$1,069

Difference

$19.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Baltimore, MD: Baltimore City Income Tax$4,800/yr (3.2%)

Portland, OR: Multnomah County Preschool for All$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Net difference-$3,300/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,270

To$1,555

↑ $285

1 Bed

From$1,450

To$1,655

↑ $205

2 Bed

From$1,770

To$1,900

↑ $130

3 Bed

From$2,280

To$2,590

↑ $310

Baltimore, MDZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,450–$1,790/mo

Portland, ORZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,580–$2,030/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,490

Monthly in Baltimore, MD

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$2,068

Difference

Home Values

Baltimore

Portland

$218K

Median Value

$535K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↓ -1.2%

↑ +20%

5-Year Change

↑ +7.2%

$72K - $469K

Price Range

$351K - $760K

Homes in Portland are 146% more expensive than Baltimore

Calculate payment - Baltimore Calculate payment - Portland

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $8.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$688

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.5%

Rate difference

Baltimore, MD

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maryland State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,811/month

$105.7K

Portland, OR

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Oregon State Tax

Effective: 10.3%

$15.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 35.0%

$52.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,123/month

$97.5K

Additional Tax Information

Baltimore, MD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Portland, OR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.