London vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Portland
The Verdict
Living in London costs 1.7% less than Portland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in London, you would need $76,304 in Portland.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $76,304 in Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $73,718 in London.
Living in London vs Portland
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is higher Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $395,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $508/month in Portland. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $444 in Portland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in London and $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $48,628 respectively. Portland residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,328/month in Portland. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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