Portland VS Rome

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Portland
United States
67.2
COLI Index
#29
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Rome
Italy
49.3
COLI Index
#57
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
67.2
49.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$1,200
Total Deductions
29.7%
34.3%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 0.8479 EUR
Is Portland cheaper than Rome?

Yes, Rome is 27% cheaper than Portland based on our cost of living index. Rome has a COLI of 49.3, while Portland has a COLI of 67.2. 27% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Portland vs Rome

Overall, Rome is approximately 27% cheaper than Portland based on our cost of living index. Portland has a COLI of 67.2 (ranked #29 of 182 cities), while Rome has a COLI of 49.3 (ranked #57).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Portland averages $1,800/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. That makes Rome approximately 33% cheaper for rent alone.

Portland has lower total deductions (29.7%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Portland. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Portland

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (OR)
9.9%
Total: 29.7%Take-Home: $35,414/yr

Rome

Income Tax
25%
INPS Contributions
9.2%
Total: 34.3%Take-Home: €20,597/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Portland, you would need approximately €46,653 in Rome to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 27% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Portland (USD) Rome (EUR)
Doctor (General) $120,960 €75,242
Software Engineer $57,120 €35,531
Product Manager $67,200 €41,801
Lawyer $67,200 €41,801
Data Scientist $63,840 €39,711
Marketing Manager $48,384 €30,097
Teacher $32,256 €20,065
Nurse $38,976 €24,245

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Portland (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Pearl District1.30x (+30%)
Lake Oswego1.28x (+28%)
Nob Hill / NW 23rd1.22x (+22%)
South Waterfront1.18x (+18%)
Downtown Portland1.15x (+15%)

Rome (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Centro Storico1.30x (+30%)
Parioli1.22x (+22%)
Monti1.20x (+20%)
Prati1.18x (+18%)
Trastevere1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland or Rome more expensive?

Portland is more expensive overall. Portland has a COLI of 67.2 while Rome has a COLI of 49.3, making Rome approximately 27% cheaper.

What salary in Rome equals $75,000 in Portland?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Portland, you would need approximately €46,653 in Rome.

Is rent cheaper in Portland or Rome?

Average one-bedroom rent in Portland is $1,800/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. Rome has lower rent by approximately 33%.

Which city has lower taxes, Portland or Rome?

Portland has lower total deductions (29.7%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Portland.

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Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.