Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, San Francisco, CA is 9.7% more expensive than Portland, OR (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Portland works out to about $82,300 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 55.6% more in San Francisco. Goods are 3.1% higher and other services 6.1% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 61.3% higher in San Francisco.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $1,803 in Portland, $19,704 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $539,000 in Portland.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 12.5% more expensive than Portland.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 55.6% higher in San Francisco than in Portland
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
All items Portland, OR: 105.4 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Portland, OR: 105.2 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Portland, OR: 125.1 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Portland, OR: 107.0 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Portland, OR: 100.1 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 100.1 | 106.2 |
| Category | Portland | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 115.6 | +9.7% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 108.5 | +3.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 194.7 | +55.6% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 172.6 | +61.3% |
| Other services | 100.1 | 106.2 | +6.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $3,445 | +91.1% |
| Typical home value | $539,000 | $1,120,000 | +107.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Portland | $75,000 | $82,300 | +9.7% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Portland and San Francisco has narrowed since 2008: 20.4 points then, 10.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 102.3 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 101.6 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 104.3 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 103.0 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 102.1 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 101.5 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 103.8 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 107.3 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 106.4 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 105.8 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 105.4 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 108.8 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 106.7 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 105.4 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.5 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 102.2 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 100.3 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 100.7 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 102.0 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 98.4 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 100.3 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 104.6 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 106.5 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 109.2 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 104.8 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.5 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 114.0 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 112.9 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 113.4 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 116.9 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 116.1 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 118.4 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 123.1 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 123.9 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 129.7 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 132.1 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 131.2 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 129.3 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 127.8 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 128.4 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 124.8 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 125.1 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.4 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 94.2 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 87.3 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 93.7 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 90.6 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 97.5 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 105.0 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 92.4 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 97.4 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 91.5 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 107.0 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.1 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 99.8 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 102.5 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 102.1 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 104.3 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 103.9 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 100.1 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $1,803 in Portland
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,124 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,169 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,211 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,232 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,269 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,277 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,267 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,299 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,330 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,335 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,316 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,328 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,362 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,370 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,363 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,380 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,407 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,423 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,410 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,425 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,428 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,454 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,434 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,463 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,540 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,599 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,608 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,633 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,700 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,729 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,703 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,722 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,724 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,719 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,686 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,711 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,757 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,767 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,741 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,752 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,781 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,783 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,757 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,767 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,789 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $539,000 in Portland
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $292K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $299K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $309K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $321K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $333K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $345K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $352K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $360K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $370K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $377K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $381K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $384K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $392K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $397K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $399K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $400K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $404K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $406K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $406K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $411K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $421K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $424K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $430K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $451K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $473K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $497K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $510K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $521K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $546K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $568K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $554K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $541K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $531K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $536K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $542K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $542K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $543K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $545K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $546K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $550K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $550K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $543K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $540K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $544K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $543K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $538K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $539K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Portland, OR
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Portland
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.