Is Portland, OR cheaper than Nashville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Portland, OR is 26.2% more expensive than Nashville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $1966 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Nashville, TN, you'd need approximately $173,592.233 in Portland, OR to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Portland, OR is 77.5% more expensive than in Nashville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,900/month in Portland, OR compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN.

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

Living in Portland, OR costs approximately $1966 more per month than Nashville, TN, or $23592 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Nashville, TN

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Portland, OR

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Nashville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.0K/month more in Portland, OR

$150.0K in your current city equals $173.6K in Portland, OR

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN area

Overall Cost

↑ 26.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,966

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$23.6K

Per year

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

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$489K

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:126

Median Home:$535K

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

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: Nashville, TN vs Portland, OR

Category	Nashville, TN	Portland, OR	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,651/mo	$4,704/mo	↑ $2,053more	77.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,721/mo	↑ $437more	34.0%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$1,069/mo	↑ $120more	12.6%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$663/mo	↑ $55.76more	9.2%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$475/mo	↓ $43.71less	8.4%
📦Other	$1,942/mo	$1,925/mo	↓ $16.74less	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 77.5%

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Portland, OR

$4,704

Difference

$2,053

🚗Transportation

↑ 34.0%

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Portland, OR

$1,721

Difference

$437

🛒Groceries

↑ 12.6%

Nashville, TN

$949

Portland, OR

$1,069

Difference

$120

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.2%

Nashville, TN

$607

Portland, OR

$663

Difference

$55.76

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.4%

Nashville, TN

$519

Portland, OR

$475

Difference

$43.71

less

📦Other

↓ 0.9%

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Portland, OR

$1,925

Difference

$16.74

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Nashville, 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$1,600

To$1,555

↓ $45.00

1 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,655

↓ $25.00

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$1,900

↑ $60.00

3 Bed

From$2,350

To$2,590

↑ $240

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/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.

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$2,605

Difference

Home Values

Nashville

Portland

$489K

Median Value

$535K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -1.2%

↑ +32.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +7.2%

$320K - $1.16M

Price Range

$351K - $760K

Homes in Portland are 9% more expensive than Nashville

Calculate payment - Nashville 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

Nashville, 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

Nashville, 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.