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Compare cities โบ Portland vs San Francisco
Portland vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Portland
๐บ๐ธ San FranciscoPortland is 34% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $5,928 a month in Portland feels like about $10,400 in San Francisco โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Cheaper on how many of 20 items?
Portland 17tie 2San Francisco 1
One day's budget in San Francisco ($391) lasts 1.3 days in Portland
Compare on YOUR lifestyleSet your rent, eating out, coffee & taxis โ see your real monthly difference ยท free
โบ
Per day
$303 vs $391
Per month
$5,928 vs $10,400
Local meal
$ 21 vs $ 25
$21 vs $25
Taxi 5 km
$ 13 vs $ 16
$13 vs $16
At a glance
FoodPortland 18% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksPortland 19% cheaper
TransportPortland 14% cheaper
StayPortland 42% cheaper
FunPortland 13% cheaper
- Where San Francisco is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (18%โ)
- Where Portland is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (53%โ), Entry ticket (29%โ), Hotel night (25%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Enter a monthly income in Portland to see what gives the same standard of living in San Francisco. Starts at the average Portland salary.
Travel difficulty
Portland
San Francisco
Overall
Easy1.6
Easy1.6
Rip-offs & haggling
1
1
Language
1
1
Getting around
2
2
Payments
1
1
Safety
3
3
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Portland | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 21$21 | $ 25$25 | Portland โ16% |
| Street food1 item | $ 13$13 | $ 15$15 | Portland โ13% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 55$55 | Portland โ24% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6.5$6.5 | Portland โ15% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 9$9 | Portland โ22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 14$14 | $ 17$17 | Portland โ18% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Portland โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 3$3 | Portland โ17% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 13$13 | $ 16$16 | Portland โ19% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 9$9 | $ 11$11 | Portland โ18% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.8$2.8 | $ 2.85$2.85 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 45$45 | Portland โ22% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 150$150 | $ 200$200 | Portland โ25% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,550$1,550 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Portland โ53% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 5$5 | Portland โ20% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 38$38 | Portland โ8% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 90$90 | $ 110$110 | Portland โ18% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 85$85 | $ 70$70 | San Francisco โ18% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 35$35 | Portland โ29% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Compare on your own lifestyle in the appSet your rent, eating out, coffee and taxis โ see your real monthly difference and live traveler prices. No sign-up.
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FAQ
Which is cheaper, Portland or San Francisco?
Portland is 34% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $303 vs $391; a month $5,928 vs $10,400.
Which is easier to travel, Portland or San Francisco?
About the same: Portland 1.6/5, San Francisco 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Portland and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Portland is about $5,928 and San Francisco about $10,400 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.
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