salaryPortland is the largest city in Oregon that we track, with 641,165 residents. Rent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,960 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oregon cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Oregon. It is number 61 of 105 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Portland with other big cities
Compare Portland to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Portland?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Portland
| Size | Portland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,402 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,583 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,915 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,306 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,711 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Portland overall?
Everyday prices in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Portland
Life in Portland
What jobs pay in Portland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $168,830 | 13.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $163,810 | 13.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $158,890 | 14.2% |
| Software Developer | $156,000 | 14.4% |
| Lawyer | $155,330 | 14.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $130,310 | 17.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,360 | 17.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,100 | 18.3% |
| Operations Manager | $121,050 | 18.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $106,280 | 21.2% |
| Electrician | $105,090 | 21.4% |
| Plumber | $101,010 | 22.3% |
| Police Officer | $97,200 | 23.1% |
| Accountant | $92,200 | 24.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $85,350 | 26.3% |
| Firefighter | $85,170 | 26.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $83,510 | 26.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $82,330 | 27.3% |
| Carpenter | $73,710 | 30.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,260 | 34.5% |
| Truck Driver | $63,800 | 35.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $56,240 | 40.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $54,780 | 41.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $50,350 | 44.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,650 | 46.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,100 | 48.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,200 | 49.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,340 | 60.2% |
| Cashier | $36,560 | 61.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Portland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,161 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $581,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $58,150 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Portland, OR?
Renting in Portland costs a median of about $1,874 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oregon median is $1,811.
How much do I need to make to live in Portland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,960 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Portland cheap or expensive?
Portland is rated OK: rent takes 22.9% of the typical household income of $98,056. It ranks 61st cheapest of 105 Oregon cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Portland?
The median homeowner in Portland pays $5,743 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Portland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Portland?
The median home value in Portland is $581,500, about 5.9 times the typical yearly household income.
641,165 people live in Portland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.