55
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
56
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Portland wins 3–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Portland wins 1–3 overall (56/100)
💰 Portland is more affordable
💼 New York has lower unemployment
🛡️ Portland has fewer disasters
📋 New York vs Portland — The Verdict
Portland scores 56.5/100 compared to New York's 55.2/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Portland has a clear edge with home prices 29% lower. Portland may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Portland are 29% lower — a difference of $209,000 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Portland saves you $184/month — that's $2,208 per year.
💵
Households in Portland earn $9,269 more per year (12% higher median income).
📊
New York has a 0.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
Median Home Value
$732,100
$523,100
Median Rent /mo
$1,714
$1,530
Median Income
$76,607
$85,876
The affordability gap is significant — Portland offers home prices 29% lower than New York, translating to $209,000 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5.2%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with New York having a slight edge at 4.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
0
4 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from New York to Portland: Common Questions
Is New York or Portland cheaper to live in?
Portland is more affordable overall. Home prices are $209,000 lower in Portland. Monthly rent is $1,530 in Portland vs $1,714 in New York.
Does New York or Portland have better weather?
Portland scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is New York or Portland better for finding a job?
New York currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in New York vs 5.2% in Portland. Median household income is $76,607 in New York and $85,876 in Portland.
Which city is safer — New York or Portland?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Portland is safer. New York has had 9 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 7 in Portland. New York scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Portland.
Should I move from New York to Portland?
Based on our data, Portland scores 56.5/100 vs New York's 55.2/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Portland is more affordable, while Portland has a better climate.
Planning to move from New York to Portland?
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 4, 2026.