City Comparison
West Linn vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Linn scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Linn
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Linn is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Linn's average rent is
32% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | West Linn | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,300 | $3,382 | -32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $250 | $370 | -32% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $181 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $3,301 | $4,652 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 53% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Linn is estimated at
$66,840 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | West Linn | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,242 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $66,840 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,994 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $146,507 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | West Linn | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
West Linn has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Linn | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 21.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, West Linn is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New York City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Linn | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,601 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | — |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Linn
Advantages
Consistently ranked as the safest city in Oregon, with very low violent and property crime rates [12, 14].
Exceptional quality of life driven by natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation, and a peaceful suburban environment [4].
Highly-rated public schools contribute to a family-friendly atmosphere and strong community appeal [41].
High median household income and a strong job market, supported by a well-educated population [3, 5, 9].
Convenient proximity to Portland offers access to major employment centers and urban amenities while maintaining a distinct small-town charm [4].
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing and transportation, makes it one of the more expensive cities in Oregon [33, 37, 39].
Car dependency is high, with limited public transportation options and low walkability scores, requiring most residents to own vehicles [6, 7].
Limited development potential due to geographic restrictions may constrain future growth and housing diversity [15].
While major hospitals are nearby, there are no full-service hospitals located directly within West Linn city limits [19, 22].
Oregon's state income tax rates are among the highest in the country, adding to the overall cost for residents [39].
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
West Linn
#419Oregon, USA
57.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,300
Avg Salary
$47,242
Cost Index
135
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
Business
70
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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