Nampa vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nampa
Portland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.3%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to $83,571 in Portland.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $83,571 in Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $67,308 in Nampa.
Living in Nampa vs Portland
Housing Costs
Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $395,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $508/month in Portland. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $444 in Portland. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa and 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $74,300 in Nampa and $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $48,628 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,328/month in Portland. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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