Both Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, are well-regarded for their vibrant cultures, thriving tech industries, and reputations as some of the most progressive cities in the U.S. However, they also showcase distinct differences stemming from their geographic, demographic, and cultural contexts.

If you are thinking of moving to either Austin or Portland, you should first inform yourself of both how similar, yet how different each city is. On the one hand, you can’t tell them apart, but when comparing other metrics and attitudes, there are huge differences between the two cities.

Similarities:

1. Cultural Vibes:
   • Both cities exude a creative, eclectic, and alternative cultural vibe.
   • Both are known for their slogans: “Keep Portland Weird” and “Keep Austin Weird.” Austin had this slogan first and sometimes accuse Portland of “stealing” the phrase.
2. Technology and Business:
   • Both cities have robust tech industries and are often considered hubs for startups and established tech companies alike (Silicon Forest in Portland and Silicon Hills in Austin).
   • This comparison has become even more true since Tesla moved its headquarters from California to Austin.
3. Music and Festivals:
   • Both cities are renowned for their music scenes and host prominent music festivals (SXSW in Austin and MusicfestNW in Portland).
4. Outdoor Activities:
   • Both places offer plenty of outdoor activities and are situated in states that boast diverse natural environments. These activities obviously differ due to both climate and geographical differences, but neither is a city where you would simply want to stay indoors all day.
5. Educational Institutions:
   • Both cities house respected educational institutions (University of Texas in Austin and Portland State University in Portland).
6. Food Scenes:
   • Both cities are celebrated for their vibrant food scenes, offering everything from food trucks to high-end dining, and are particularly noted for their vegan and vegetarian offerings.
7. Mutual Hate For California
   • Both sets of natives are not particularly fond of California, nor Californians coming to their city. This is due to the wealth that people in California bring, thus raising the prices of property in each city, forcing locals to move out due to affordability issues.

Differences:

1. Climate:
   • Portland experiences a temperate climate with wet winters and dry, warm summers. It’s characterized by its lush greenery and proximity to both mountain and coastal environments.
   • Austin enjoys a warmer climate, with hot summers and mild winters, and has a more arid and hill country environment.
2. Political Context:
   • Portland is situated in Oregon, a state that leans Democratic in political elections, and generally adheres to liberal policies statewide.
   • While Austin is a liberal city, it is located in Texas, a state that traditionally leans Republican, creating a different dynamic in the political landscape.
3. Size and Population:
   • Austin is larger both in terms of population and geographical size compared to Portland.
4. Cultural Influences:
   • Portland has a Northwestern vibe influenced by its natural surroundings, with a significant focus on environmental sustainability and outdoor activities.
   • Austin blends Southern and Western influences, showcased in its renowned live music (particularly country) and a prominent BBQ scene.
5. Transportation:
   • Portland is often hailed for its public transportation system, which includes buses, light rail, and MAX streetcar, making it relatively easy to navigate without a car.
   • Austin is known for its traffic and is generally considered to be less accessible via public transportation, making a car more necessary for getting around. This is a common theme throughout the whole of Texas where everything is bigger and more spread out.

Which City Is More Affordable?

Both Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, have seen shifts in their cost of living, primarily due to an influx of new residents and changes in their respective housing markets. It’s worth noting that “affordability” can depend on various factors, including housing, transportation, groceries, healthcare, and more. Let’s break down some general aspects:

Housing:

• Portland: The housing market in Portland has seen a significant increase in prices over the past few years, making it less affordable in terms of both renting and buying. In August 2023, the median listing for a Portland home was $559k.
• Austin: Austin has also experienced a surge in housing prices, with a notable influx of tech companies and workers contributing to increased demand and subsequently, higher prices. In August 2023, the median listing for an Austin home was $649k.

Transportation:

• Portland: It’s recognized for its robust public transportation system, which might offset some transportation costs if you choose to rely on it instead of owning a vehicle. Furthermore, Portland is a LOT better for both walking and cycling, however, if you don’t plan to do much of these things, then this is somewhat irrelevant.
• Austin: Public transportation is less prevalent and the city is more car-dependent, potentially adding to transportation costs.

Overall, Portland should be cheaper to get around, depending on where you live within the city, owning a car is not a 100% necessary expense. On the other hand, this is not possible in Austin.

Taxes:

• Portland: Oregon has no sales tax but has a relatively high state income tax varying from 4.75% to 9.9%
• Austin: Texas does not have a state income tax but does have a sales tax of 6.25%, and property taxes can be high.
• As a result, no direct comparison can be made. You would have to calculate your own personal spending expenses in order to make a complete judgment.

Utilities and Miscellaneous Expenses:

Both cities may have varying costs for utilities, groceries, and other everyday expenses, often contingent on specific local factors. However, for the most part, these products will be somewhat similar nationally with not a whole lot of difference from state to state.

Healthcare:

Healthcare costs can also vary between the two cities, influenced by state policies, available facilities, and demographic factors.

Health insurance is typically more expensive in Texas as a whole.

Job Market and Salaries:

• Portland and Austin both have strong job markets, especially in the tech industry, but average salaries, unemployment rates, and job opportunities can vary.
• In September 2023, the average salary in Portland Oregon was $69,842.
• In September 2023, the average salary in Austin Texas was $68,270.
• This shows that in terms of earning power, it will really depend on (an individual’s job) industry and offers at the current moment, as in terms of averages, there is no difference between the two cities.

Lifestyle:

Your personal lifestyle, such as dining out, entertainment, and recreational activities, will also influence your living costs in each city, with prices for these activities varying between locations.

In a direct comparison, it’s challenging to definitively say which city is more affordable due to the many variables involved and the personal nature of “affordability.” Specific living costs can depend heavily on individual circumstances, preferences, and lifestyle choices.

On the whole, though, you would expect Austin to be a little more expensive due to the aforementioned 6.25% sales tax which Portland does not have. In theory, this should raise the price of everything respectively. However, this is certainly necessarily true as service jobs in Portland are generally around 20% more well-paid when compared to Austin, meaning you will pay more when eating at a restaurant.

Summary

Overall, there is no clear winner between Austin and Portland. Where a person decides to live is going to depend on their job and personal circumstances.

For a person who enjoys the heat, BBQ and works in the oil industry, obviously, Austin is going to be a much better fit than Portland.

Conversely, someone who wants to cycle to work and enjoys hiking in forest environments will be much better suited in Portland.