Portland vs Sacramento
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $562K | $507K |
| Median single-family | $606K | $515K |
| Median condo | $346K | $365K |
| Median $/sq ft | $327 | $335 |
| Median days on market | 10 | 14 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 101.3% | 101.1% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,060 | 2,990 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 31,500 | n/a |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Sacramento is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $507K versus $562K in Portland, roughly 10% less (Redfin, May 2026). Price per square foot is close too, $327 in Portland and $335 in Sacramento. Portland homes have been moving faster, 10 median days on market versus 14 in Sacramento. Sacramento is in California, so its income tax matches LA's. Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. About 32,000 people moved from California to Oregon in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Portland: Progressive, top rate 9.9%. Sacramento: Same as LA (California, progressive, top rate 13.3%). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Portland and moving from LA to Sacramento.
Common questions
Is Portland or Sacramento cheaper?
Sacramento had the lower median sale price, about $507K versus $562K in Portland (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 10% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Portland or Sacramento?
Portland has the lower state income tax. Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. By comparison, California has a progressive income tax with a top marginal rate of 13.3% (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Portland vs Sacramento?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,060 square feet in Portland and 2,990 in Sacramento, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
