Is Portland, OR cheaper than Knoxville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Portland, OR is 37.5% more expensive than Knoxville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $2810 per month.

What salary do I need in Portland, OR to live like I do in Knoxville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Knoxville, TN, you'd need approximately $183,721.579 in Portland, OR to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Knoxville, TN and Portland, OR?

Housing in Portland, OR is 97.8% more expensive than in Knoxville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,900/month in Portland, OR compared to $1,495/month in Knoxville, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Knoxville, TN to Portland, OR?

Living in Portland, OR costs approximately $2810 more per month than Knoxville, TN, or $33722 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.8K/month more in Portland, OR

$150.0K in your current city equals $183.7K in Portland, OR

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Knoxville, TN area

Overall Cost

↑ 37.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,810

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$33.7K

Per year

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

Knoxville, TN

Population:198K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$369K

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:

137

(37% above avg)

Median Home:$535K

Knoxville, TN

The Volunteer State

198K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 198K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

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: Knoxville, TN vs Portland, OR

Category	Knoxville, TN	Portland, OR	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,378/mo	$4,704/mo	↑ $2,325more	97.8%
Transportation	$1,236/mo	$1,721/mo	↑ $485more	39.2%
Other	$1,668/mo	$1,925/mo	↑ $257more	15.4%
Healthcare	$556/mo	$663/mo	↑ $107more	19.2%
Groceries	$967/mo	$1,069/mo	↑ $102more	10.5%
All Utilities	$468/mo	$475/mo	↑ $7.03more	1.5%

Housing

↑ 97.8%

Knoxville, TN

$2,378

Portland, OR

$4,704

Difference

$2,325

Transportation

↑ 39.2%

Knoxville, TN

$1,236

Portland, OR

$1,721

Difference

$485

Other

↑ 15.4%

Knoxville, TN

$1,668

Portland, OR

$1,925

Difference

$257

Healthcare

↑ 19.2%

Knoxville, TN

$556

Portland, OR

$663

Difference

$107

Groceries

↑ 10.5%

Knoxville, TN

$967

Portland, OR

$1,069

Difference

$102

All Utilities

↑ 1.5%

Knoxville, TN

$468

Portland, OR

$475

Difference

$7.03

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Knoxville, TN has no local income tax.

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,200

To$1,555

↑ $355

1 Bed

From$1,200

To$1,655

↑ $455

2 Bed

From$1,495

To$1,900

↑ $405

3 Bed

From$1,891

To$2,590

↑ $699

Knoxville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$1,480/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.

$7,274

Monthly in Knoxville, TN

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$3,283

Difference

Home Values

Knoxville

Portland

$369K

Median Value

$535K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -1.2%

↑ +64.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +7.2%

$196K - $638K

Price Range

$351K - $760K

Homes in Portland are 45% more expensive than Knoxville

Calculate payment - Knoxville Calculate payment - Portland

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $15.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$1,293

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

10.3%

Rate difference

Knoxville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Knoxville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

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.