Portland, OR vs. San Diego, CA: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Portland and San Diego, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Portland, OR | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 641,165 | 1,389,526 | +116.7% |
| Median household income | $90,919 | $108,077 | +18.9% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,655 | $2,313 | +39.8% |
| Median home value | $581,500 | $906,700 | +55.9% |
Difference is San Diego, CA relative to Portland, OR.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Oregon 103.4, California 110.7, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Portland, OR buys about as much as $107,120 in San Diego, CA.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Portland, OR | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $66,200 | $92,520 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 21.8% | 25.7% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $331,667 | $394,258 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.