Elder Care Cost: Portland, OR vs San Jose, CA (2026)
Portland, OR assisted living runs $5,400/month — $1,100/month less than San Jose, CA's $6,500/month. That's $13,200/year.
Portland, OR, OR
$5,400
assisted living/month
+$900 vs national avg
San Jose, CA, CA
$6,500
assisted living/month
+$2,000 vs national avg
Portland, OR vs San Jose, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,400/mo ✓ | $6,500/mo |
| Nursing Home (Private) | $11,500/mo ✓ | $13,000/mo |
| In-Home Aide | $6,300/mo ✓ | $7,700/mo |
| Memory Care | $7,500/mo ✓ | $8,900/mo |
| Adult Day Care | $1,900/mo ✓ | $2,200/mo |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For assisted living, Portland, OR costs $64,800/year vs San Jose, CA's $78,000/year.
Monthly savings
$1,100
Annual savings
$13,200
2-year total savings
$26,400
% difference
20%
Savings = San Jose, CA cost minus Portland, OR cost. Assisted living only.
Overall, Portland, OR is more affordable — lower cost on 5 of 5 care types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is elder care cheaper in Portland, OR or San Jose, CA?
Portland, OR has lower assisted living costs at $5,400/month vs. $6,500/month in San Jose, CA — a difference of $1,100/month ($13,200/year).
What types of elder care are compared here?
This page compares five common senior care types: assisted living, nursing home (private room), in-home aide (44 hrs/week), memory care, and adult day care. These cover the full range from part-time supervision to full residential skilled nursing care.
How do these cities compare to the national average?
The national average for assisted living is $4,500/month. Portland, OR is $900 above the national average. San Jose, CA is $2,000 above the national average.