Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$73,077 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$61,615 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $116,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $89,320▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $148,480▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $185,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,077▲ | $71,605 | +$1,472 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,099 | $107,184▲ | -$27,085 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,615 | $66,163▲ | -$4,548 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 87,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($73,077 vs $71,605 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.