Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$72,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$55,385 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$46,698 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $85,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $65,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,000 | $110,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $117,000 | $138,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $55,385▲ | $52,469 | +$2,916 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,707 | $78,540▲ | -$17,833 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,698 | $48,481▲ | -$1,783 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 16,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($55,385 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.