Living in Portland, Oregon
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portland · Census data 2020–2024
Portland has 641,165 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $90,919 (10% higher than the Oregon median), the median home value is $581,500, the median rent is $1,655/month.
Portland at a glance
- Population
- 641,165
- Median age
- 38.8State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $90,919State: $83,011
- Median home value
- $581,500State: $477,600
- Median rent
- $1,655/moState: $1,525
- Homeowners
- 52%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53.8%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Portland a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 10% higher than the Oregon median.
Cons: Home values 22% higher than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 12.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portland
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portland the median home value is $581,500, 75% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,655 per month, which is 31.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,559 a month in housing costs.
Portland median household income
The median household income in Portland is $90,919 and the income per person is $57,029. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Oregon: 11.9%).
Housing in Portland: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 307,719
- Owner-occupied
- 52%
- Renter-occupied
- 48%
- Vacant
- 5.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1966
- Average household size
- 2.15
Portland demographics
- Population
- 641,165
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 16.3%
- 65 and older
- 14.5%
- Households
- 289,705
- Foreign-born
- 12.4%
- Veterans
- 4.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portland ›
Education in Portland
53.8% of adults 25 and older in Portland have a bachelor's degree or higher (Oregon: 36.8%), and 21.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portland
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 28.5%
- Drive alone
- 49.5%
- Public transit
- 6.1%
- Walk to work
- 4.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.9%
Portland vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 641,165 | $90,919 | $581,500 | $1,655 |
| Maywood Park | 987 | $141,458 | $582,900 | $2,000 |
| West Haven-Sylvan | 7,674 | $110,200 | $782,400 | $1,849 |
| Raleigh Hills | 6,744 | $120,000 | $913,700 | $1,672 |
| Milwaukie | 21,392 | $86,892 | $505,100 | $1,598 |
| West Slope | 6,582 | $104,875 | $755,300 | $1,716 |
| Dunthorpe | 1,875 | $250,001 | $1,459,300 | $2,350 |
| Cedar Mill | 19,471 | $164,079 | $878,300 | $1,882 |
| Garden Home-Whitford | 6,979 | $97,500 | $624,900 | $1,878 |
More for people moving to Portland
Portland ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portland: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portland, OR?
The median household income in Portland is $90,919, 10% higher than the Oregon median of $83,011 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Portland?
The median home value in Portland is $581,500, compared with $477,600 in Oregon.
How much is rent in Portland?
The median gross rent in Portland is $1,655 per month, about 31.4% of household income.
Is Portland, OR a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 10% higher than the Oregon median. Minuses: home values 22% higher than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%; a poverty rate of 12.7%.
What is the median age in Portland?
The median age in Portland is 38.8 years (Oregon: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Portland?
The average commute to work in Portland is 24 minutes; 28.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portland?
The unemployment rate in Portland is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portland?
53.8% of adults in Portland have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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