denver portland cost comparison

denver portland cost comparison

# Cost of Living Comparison: Denver, CO vs Portland, OR (2025/03/14)

Summary

This is a comprehensive cost of living comparison between Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregon based on data from multiple sources including NerdWallet, Salary.com, and Numbeo. The analysis reveals varying assessments of which city is more expensive, with key differences in housing, transportation, healthcare, and other essential expenses.

Key Findings

Overall Cost Difference

  • NerdWallet: Portland is 10% more expensive than Denver, requiring $54,825 income in Portland to maintain the same standard of living as $50,000 in Denver

  • Salary.com: Portland is 4.9% more expensive than Denver, requiring $62,941 to maintain the same standard of living as $60,000 in Denver

  • Numbeo: Portland is 3% less expensive than Denver (excluding rent) and 5.3% less expensive (including rent)

Housing Costs

  • Portland housing costs are 15% higher according to NerdWallet

  • Rent prices in Portland are 9.4% lower according to Numbeo

  • 1-bedroom apartment in city center: Denver ($2,099) vs Portland ($1,809) - 13.8% lower in Portland

Transportation

  • Portland transportation costs are 33% higher according to NerdWallet

  • Monthly transit pass: Denver ($88) vs Portland ($100) - 13.6% higher in Portland

  • Gasoline prices are 22.9% higher in Portland

Food & Groceries

  • NerdWallet shows Portland food costs are 6% higher

  • Numbeo indicates Portland grocery prices are 4.5% lower

  • Restaurant prices are 6% lower in Portland

Healthcare & Utilities

  • Healthcare costs are 18% higher in Portland (NerdWallet)

  • Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment: Denver ($175.18) vs Portland ($219.86) - 25.5% higher in Portland

Employment & Salaries

  • Average monthly net salary: Denver ($5,042) vs Portland ($4,789) - 5% lower in Portland

  • Employers in Portland typically pay 2.4% more than in Denver for comparable positions

Lifestyle Considerations

  • Portland has better public transportation (ranked #11 in the US)

  • Portland has more rainy days (164 days per year with rain)

  • Average commute time in Portland is 33.22 minutes

  • Portland's traffic is ranked #60 in the US (below average in driver friendliness)

This comparison provides valuable information for someone considering a move between these two cities, particularly for a professional with an income around $60,000-$80,000 annually, to understand how their standard of living might change.

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