Portland vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Portland
Youngstown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 58.5%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Portland has equivalent purchasing power to $47,308 in Youngstown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Portland has the same purchasing power as $47,308 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $118,902 in Portland.
Living in Portland vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Portland's housing index of 168 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $480,000 vs $102,000. The $378,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Portland compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $1,075.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Portland and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Portland vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Portland and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Portland vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Portland and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $71,005 in Portland and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,619 and $42,195 respectively. Portland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,657/month to housing in Portland vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Portland, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 127 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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