Moving from Portland to Montgomery (2026)

Montgomery has a COL index of 81 vs 125 for Portland (100 = US average). You'd pay about 35% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$1,156/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
125 โ†’ 81
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,900 โ†’ $1,050
per month
State tax
9.9% โ†’ 5%
income tax
COL difference
125 โ†’ 81
35% cheaper

Salary needed in Montgomery to match your Portland lifestyle

Based on the 35% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in PortlandEquivalent in Montgomery
$40K$25,920
$50K$32,400
$60K$38,880
$75K$48,600
$80K$51,840
$100K$64,800
$120K$77,760
$150K$97,200

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$933/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Portland vs Montgomery

ExpensePortlandMontgomery
Monthly take-home$4,122$4,428
1BR rent$1,900$1,050
Groceries$407$353
Transport$100$38
Utilities$130$170
Internet$65$58
Left after essentials$1,520$2,759

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $933 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$1,138,233

over 30 years compared to staying in Portland โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$933/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Montgomery cheaper than Portland?

Yes. Montgomery has a cost of living index of 81 vs 125 for Portland (100 = US average). That's about 35% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Portland to Montgomery?

On a $75K salary, moving from Portland to Montgomery saves roughly $1,156/month on core expenses. That's ~$13,872/year.

What salary do I need in Montgomery to match my Portland lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Portland, you'd need roughly $48,600/year in Montgomery. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only