Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Portland, OR?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 51.5% more expensive than Portland, OR. This translates to spending an extra $3865 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Portland, OR?

If you earn $150,000 in Portland, OR, you'd need approximately $196,384.615 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 107.7% more expensive than in Portland, OR. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,900/month in Portland, OR.

How much can I save per month by moving from Portland, OR to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $3865 more per month than Portland, OR, or $46385 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Portland, OR

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Portland, OR

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.9K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $196.4K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 51.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,865

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$46.4K

Per year

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

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$535K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:152

Median Home:$1.25M

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Portland, OR	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,704/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $5,068more	107.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,721/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $437more	25.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $89.93more	8.4%
📦Other	$1,925/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $50.22less	2.6%
🏥Healthcare	$663/mo	$706/mo	↑ $43.37more	6.5%
⚡All Utilities	$475/mo	$448/mo	↓ $27.32less	5.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 107.7%

Portland, OR

$4,704

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$5,068

🚗Transportation

↑ 25.4%

Portland, OR

$1,721

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$437

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.4%

Portland, OR

$1,069

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$89.93

📦Other

↓ 2.6%

Portland, OR

$1,925

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$50.22

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.5%

Portland, OR

$663

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$43.37

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.7%

Portland, OR

$475

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$27.32

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Francisco, CA 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$1,555

To$2,460

↑ $905

1 Bed

From$1,655

To$2,950

↑ $1,295

2 Bed

From$1,900

To$3,570

↑ $1,670

3 Bed

From$2,590

To$4,560

↑ $1,970

Portland, ORZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,580–$2,030/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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.

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$5,560

Difference

Home Values

Portland

San Francisco

$535K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -1.2%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +7.2%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$351K - $760K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 133% more expensive than Portland

Calculate payment - Portland Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$407

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.3%

Rate difference

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

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Portland, OR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.