City Comparison

Ogden vs Portland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Portland

Maine
117
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$56,895
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.5%, with Ogden being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ogden has equivalent purchasing power to $82,009 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
112
Ogden
137
Portland
Groceries
92
Ogden
107
Portland
Utilities
80
Ogden
111
Portland
Transportation
101
Ogden
98
Portland
Healthcare
91
Ogden
110
Portland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ogden has the same purchasing power as $82,009 in Portland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $68,590 in Ogden.

Living in Ogden vs Portland

Housing Costs

Ogden's housing index of 112 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $395,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Ogden compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Ogden and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Ogden vs $508/month in Portland. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Ogden and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Ogden 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 91 in Ogden and 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,100 in Ogden and $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,514 and $48,628 respectively. Ogden residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Ogden vs $1,328/month in Portland. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/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 Utilities, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ogden is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Ogden has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,009 in Portland, based on the cost of living difference.
Ogden's housing index is 112 with median homes at $385,000, while Portland's is 137 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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