Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Portland and Riverside have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Oregon salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Portland has a housing index of 168 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Portland costs $480,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Portland versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Portland scores 105 while Riverside scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Portland (108) are higher than Riverside (102).
Median household income in Portland is $71,005 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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