Is Portland, OR cheaper than Paterson, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Portland, OR is 20.4% more expensive than Paterson, NJ. This translates to spending an extra $1528 per month.

What salary do I need in Portland, OR to live like I do in Paterson, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Paterson, NJ, you'd need approximately $168,333.333 in Portland, OR to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Paterson, NJ and Portland, OR?

Housing in Portland, OR is 108.0% more expensive than in Paterson, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,900/month in Portland, OR compared to $1,980/month in Paterson, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Paterson, NJ to Portland, OR?

Living in Portland, OR costs approximately $1528 more per month than Paterson, NJ, or $18333 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Paterson, NJ 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 Paterson, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.5K/month more in Portland, OR

$150.0K in your current city equals $168.3K in Portland, OR

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 20.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,528

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$18.3K

Per year

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

Paterson, NJ

Population:156K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$532K

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:

120

(20% above avg)

Median Home:$535K

Paterson, NJ

The Garden State

156K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 156K 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: Paterson, NJ vs Portland, OR

Category	Paterson, NJ	Portland, OR	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,261/mo	$4,704/mo	↑ $2,443more	108.0%
Transportation	$1,598/mo	$1,721/mo	↑ $123more	7.7%
All Utilities	$596/mo	$475/mo	↓ $120less	20.2%
Other	$2,026/mo	$1,925/mo	↓ $100less	5.0%
Groceries	$1,099/mo	$1,069/mo	↓ $29.98less	2.7%
Healthcare	$688/mo	$663/mo	↓ $24.78less	3.6%

Housing

↑ 108.0%

Paterson, NJ

$2,261

Portland, OR

$4,704

Difference

$2,443

Transportation

↑ 7.7%

Paterson, NJ

$1,598

Portland, OR

$1,721

Difference

$123

All Utilities

↓ 20.2%

Paterson, NJ

$596

Portland, OR

$475

Difference

$120

less

Other

↓ 5.0%

Paterson, NJ

$2,026

Portland, OR

$1,925

Difference

$100

less

Groceries

↓ 2.7%

Paterson, NJ

$1,099

Portland, OR

$1,069

Difference

$29.98

less

Healthcare

↓ 3.6%

Paterson, NJ

$688

Portland, OR

$663

Difference

$24.78

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Paterson, NJ 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$1,510

To$1,555

↑ $45.00

1 Bed

From$1,720

To$1,655

↓ $65.00

2 Bed

From$1,980

To$1,900

↓ $80.00

3 Bed

From$2,420

To$2,590

↑ $170

Paterson, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,860/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.

$8,267

Monthly in Paterson, NJ

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$2,290

Difference

Home Values

Paterson

Portland

$532K

Median Value

$535K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -1.2%

↑ +44.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +7.2%

$469K - $567K

Price Range

$351K - $760K

Homes in Portland are 1% more expensive than Paterson

Calculate payment - Paterson Calculate payment - Portland

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $8.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$673

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.4%

Rate difference

Paterson, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Paterson, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.