Portland vs Seattle: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Median home value runs $523,100 in Portland, 41% lower than the $879,900 median in Seattle.
Median household income is $85,876 in Portland versus $116,068 in Seattle.
On median rent, Portland runs $1,530 while Seattle runs $1,945.
Natural-hazard risk differs here: FEMA rates Seattle Very High and Portland Relatively High.
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 646,101 | 734,603 |
| Median home value | $523,100 | $879,900 |
| Median household income | $85,876 | $116,068 |
| Median gross rent | $1,530 | $1,945 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Very High |
On housing costs, Portland, OR looks more affordable than Seattle, WA — lower median home value and rent. This reflects housing only, not total cost of living.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.