Question 1

Is Portland or Raleigh cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, NC is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $217/month less than in Portland, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,922/mo in Portland versus $1,750/mo in Raleigh.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Portland vs Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $89,000/year before tax in Portland, OR and $78,500/year in Raleigh, NC — a difference of about $10,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Portland or Raleigh cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $10,916/month in Portland and $9,872/month in Raleigh, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Portland or Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Raleigh 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	Portland59	Raleigh75
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,441	$4,224
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$10,916	$9,872
Salary for comfort	$89,000/yr	$78,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,922	$1,750
Median home value	$557,600	$377,800
Median household income	$88,792	$82,424
Unemployment	5.2%	3.1%
Housing score	36	56
Jobs score	30	88
Safety score	53	59
Climate score	93	100
Amenities score	79	62
Population	642.7K	470.8K
Summer high / winter low	81° / 36°	90° / 31°

Portland, OR vs Raleigh, NC