CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Portland, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableOR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Portland is moderately cheaper than Newark — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $74,900 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.8%
Newark
148.6
Portland
125.1
🛒 Groceries4.6%
Newark
110.3
Portland
105.2
🚗 Transportation5.4%
Newark
111.1
Portland
105.1
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Newark
100.5
Portland
95.1
Utilities15.7%
Newark
127
Portland
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9361. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Portland, OR

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

Newark has 15.8% lower housing costs compared to Portland.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.