Question 1

Is Atlanta or Portland cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $54/month less than in Portland, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,820/mo in Atlanta versus $1,922/mo in Portland.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Atlanta vs Portland?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $83,000/year before tax in Atlanta, GA and $89,000/year in Portland, OR — a difference of about $6,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Atlanta or Portland cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Atlanta, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,218/month in Atlanta and $10,916/month in Portland, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Atlanta or Portland?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Atlanta costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Atlanta66	Portland59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,387	$4,441
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,218	$10,916
Salary for comfort	$83,000/yr	$89,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,820	$1,922
Median home value	$420,600	$557,600
Median household income	$81,938	$88,792
Unemployment	3.7%	5.2%
Housing score	47	36
Jobs score	86	30
Safety score	26	53
Climate score	100	93
Amenities score	68	79
Population	499.3K	642.7K
Summer high / winter low	90° / 33°	81° / 36°

Atlanta, GA vs Portland, OR