CostIndexUSA

Johnson City, TN vs Portland, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
OR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Johnson City is significantly cheaper than Portland — 19.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $95,900 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+97.9%
Johnson City
63.2
Portland
125.1
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Johnson City
96.2
Portland
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Johnson City
99.9
Portland
105.1
🏥 Healthcare+5.2%
Johnson City
90.4
Portland
95.1
Utilities+48.8%
Johnson City
71.9
Portland
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Johnson City to see what you'd need to earn in Portland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$95,900
$15,900 more needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 87.9) = salary × 1.1991. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Johnson City, TN

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
63.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Portland, OR

Median Home Price
$536,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
125.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Portland has 97.9% higher housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Johnson City, TN

Median Household Income
$56,800
Per Capita Income
$32,400
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
68,006
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Portland, OR

Median Household Income
$94,900
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
652,503
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Johnson City, TN
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Portland, OR
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.