Portland vs Seattle
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Portland has an edge
Portland currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$493,150.76
Median RentBETTER
$1,686.65/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
24.4
Property Tax RateBETTER
0.97%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
-1.2%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
-6.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$363,323
Median Home Price
$841,148.88
Median Rent
$2,267.38/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.9
Property Tax Rate
0.98%
Price Change (1Y)
-1.8%
Price Change (5Y)
-9.2%
Break-Even YearsTIE
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$714,572
Key Differences
Home Prices
Portland's median home price of $493,150.76 is lower than Seattle's $841,148.88 by 41%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Portland costs $1,686.65/mo compared to $2,267.38/mo in Seattle—a difference of $580.73/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.