Portland vs Seattle
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 | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $562K | $901K |
| Median single-family | $606K | $1.17M |
| Median condo | $346K | $503K |
| Median $/sq ft | $327 | $571 |
| Median days on market | 10 | 11 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 101.3% | 100.8% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,060 | 1,750 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 31,500 | 43,938 |
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
Portland is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $562K versus $901K in Seattle, roughly 38% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,060 square feet in Portland at the median price per square foot, versus about 1,750 in Seattle. Homes have been selling at a similar pace, about 10 median days on market in Portland and 11 in Seattle. Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. Washington has no personal income tax on wages. In 2024 about 32,000 Californians moved to Oregon and about 44,000 to Washington (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Portland: Progressive, top rate 9.9%. Seattle: None on wages (Washington has no personal income tax on wages). 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 Seattle.
Common questions
Is Portland or Seattle cheaper?
Portland had the lower median sale price, about $562K versus $901K in Seattle (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 38% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Portland or Seattle?
Seattle has the lower state income tax. Washington has no personal income tax on wages. By comparison, Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Portland vs Seattle?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,060 square feet in Portland and 1,750 in Seattle, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
