Portland vs Memphis: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Portland, OR and Memphis, TN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Portland, OR | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 646,101 | 630,027 |
| Median household income | $85,876 | $48,090 |
| Median home value | $523,100 | $139,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,530 | $1,050 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Portland, OR and Memphis, TN comes down to what you value most. Memphis has the lower median home value, and Memphis has the lower median rent.
Portland has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Portland or Memphis?
- By median home value, Memphis is the cheaper of the two ($139,600 vs $523,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Portland or Memphis?
- Median household income is $85,876 in Portland versus $48,090 in Memphis, per the US Census Bureau.