Head to head
Anchorage, AK vs Portland, OR
Anchorage is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $103/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $12,500 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For a household of four, Portland is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and that spread is far steeper in some markets than others.
| Metric | Anchorage59 | Portland58 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $4,319 | $4,422 |
| Est. monthly cost (household of 4) | $8,694 | $8,478 |
| Salary for comfort | $76,500/yr | $89,000/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,631 | $1,922 |
| Median home value | $375,900 | $557,600 |
| Median household income | $98,152 | $88,792 |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | 4.7% |
| Housing score | 79 | 38 |
| Jobs score | 77 | 26 |
| Safety score | 16 | 53 |
| Climate score | 64 | 93 |
| Amenities score | 28 | 79 |
| Population | 289.1K | 642.7K |
| Summer high / winter low | 68° / 9° | 80° / 38° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Anchorage, AK
Portland, OR