Washington vs Oregon: cost of living
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps about $207 less a month in Oregon than in Washington after 2026 taxes, rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries. Median rent is 12% lower in Oregon.
| A month, single filer on $75,000 | Washington | Oregon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home pay | $5,133 | $4,655 | −$478 |
| Rent (median, incl. utilities the renter pays) | $1,824 | $1,597 | −$227 |
| Electricity (average home bill) | $140 | $140 | +$1 |
| Gas for 1,000 miles a month | $195 | $179 | −$16 |
| Car insurance, full coverage | $184 | $156 | −$28 |
| Health insurance, your share of a job plan (U.S. average) | $139 | $139 | +$0 |
| Groceries (U.S. average household) | $519 | $519 | +$0 |
| Left over after these | $2,132 | $1,924 | −$207 |
Sources: take-home pay from 2026 IRS brackets, SSA wage base and Tax Foundation state rates; rent from Census ACS; electricity from EIA; gas from AAA (1,000 miles at 27.2 mpg); car insurance from Insurify; groceries are the U.S. average household from BLS (2024) in both states. Each figure has its own date, shown on the linked page. Our calculation, a rough guide, not an exact budget.
Compare two states
Same salary in both states, single filer, 2026 taxes. Each cost is that state's average from its own source and date; groceries use the U.S. average in both. Electricity can be partly counted in gross rent. "I own a home" swaps rent for home insurance and property tax but leaves out the mortgage payment. Our calculation, a rough guide.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to live in Washington or Oregon?
Washington, by the basics we track. On $75,000 a year, Washington leaves about $207 more a month ($2,488 a year) after 2026 taxes, median rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries (our calculation).
What salary in Oregon equals $75,000 in Washington?
About $79,000 a year. At that salary a single filer in Oregon keeps the same $2,132 a month after taxes and the same basics as $75,000 in Washington (our calculation).
How do taxes compare between Washington and Oregon?
Washington has no income tax on wages and Oregon has income tax from 4.75% to 9.9% (Tax Foundation, 2026). On $75,000, take-home pay is about $5,133 a month in Washington and $4,655 in Oregon.
How much is rent in Washington vs Oregon?
The median rent is $1,824 a month in Washington and $1,597 in Oregon (Census ACS).
Planning the move itself? See the full monthly budget for Washington or Oregon, and the take-home pay calculators for Washington and Oregon.