Portland vs Salt Lake City: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Comparing home values: Portland sits at $523,100, 14% higher than Salt Lake City's $458,600.
Households earn a median $85,876 in Portland, compared with $72,357 in Salt Lake City.
Median rent is $1,530 in Portland, compared with $1,254 in Salt Lake City.
Climate risk is a wash here — both cities carry a "Relatively High" FEMA rating.
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 646,101 | 201,269 |
| Median home value | $523,100 | $458,600 |
| Median household income | $85,876 | $72,357 |
| Median gross rent | $1,530 | $1,254 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Relatively High |
Salt Lake City, UT beats Portland, OR on both housing metrics we track — home value and rent — though this doesn't capture the full cost of living.
- Best cities in Oregon
- Best cities in Utah
- Portland vs Seattle: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Los Angeles vs Portland: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
- Los Angeles vs Salt Lake City: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.