Portland vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Portland
Roswell
💡 The Verdict
Roswell is 25% cheaper than Portland overall. A $75,000 salary in Portland is equivalent to $56,538 in Roswell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Portland (left) vs Roswell (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Portland versus Roswell. Differences shown from Portland perspective.
| Item | Portland | Roswell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,250/mo | $1,060/mo | +$190.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,800/mo | $1,500/mo | +$300.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,360/mo | $1,970/mo | +$390.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.94 | $3.04 | $-0.10 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.04 | $3.77 | +$0.27 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.41 | $2.97 | +$0.44 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.89 | $5.89 | $0.00 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.71 | $3.10 | +$0.61 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.61 | $13.69 | +$6.92 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Portland has the same purchasing power as $56,538 in Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $99,490 in Portland.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1874 difference is driven by Oregon having a higher state income tax rate. Oregon details → · Georgia details →
Reading These Numbers: Portland (130) vs Roswell (98)
Portland at 130 is 30% above the US average, while Roswell at 98 is 2% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Portland, the composite index of 130 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 168, followed by groceries (105), utilities (94), transportation (113), and healthcare (108). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,800/mo in Portland and $1,500/mo in Roswell, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $125,000.0 difference in median home prices between Portland and Roswell translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Portland vs Roswell
Choosing between Portland and Roswell involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Portland versus Roswell depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.