> Considering a move to Portland or Vancouver in a year and looking at the financials of it.

Not the person you asked but as a renter considering both those cities, I found the pre-tax COL more or less equal and the dollar amount of taxable purchases I'd have to make in OR to offset the lack of income tax in WA was way more than I spend in a year. Not just an average year but basically any year I don't buy a tricked-out laptop or a full room of furnishings.

Groceries (most of them) aren't taxed in WA and there are two sizable shopping centers just across the river in PDX. WA resident who shop there are supposed to report and pay use tax.