Portland, Oregon
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Portland.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Portland?
Portland, OR has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 151 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $557,600 and median rent about $1,596, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $88,792. Typical commute is 27 minutes; summer highs average 80°F. Violent-offense rates run about 544.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 151U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $557,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,596U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $88,792U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 27 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 544.6per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 80°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Portland compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 635,749City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $88,792Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 151ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year51% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $557,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year84% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,596City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year18% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 27 min8% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6749% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 544.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 5203.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)69% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 80°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 36.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 208As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals22% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Portland grew 8.6% from 585,429 in 2010 to 635,749 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Portland expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Portland runs 51 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 151 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $557,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,596 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Portland?
Budget first around $1,596/month rent or $557,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $557,600
- Median rent $1,596/month
- Median household income $88,792
What is the job market like in Portland?
Labor-market context for Portland: unemployment 5.4% and median income $88,792. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $88,792
How long is the typical commute in Portland?
Plan on roughly 27 minutes each way in Portland. Walk Score estimates around 67 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 27 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 67/100
Is Portland safer than similar U.S. cities?
Portland's FBI-derived violent rate (~544.6/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 544.6 per 100k
- Property 5203.3 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Portland?
Portland's climate profile: 80°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 36.9" annual rainfall, and 208 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 80°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 36.9 in rain · 208 sunny days
What nearby city comparisons involve Portland?
These curated pair pages put Portland beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
About 635,749 people live in Portland, OR. Median household income is roughly $88,792, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 151 — well above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $557,600 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Portland sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Portland with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Wet winters west of the Cascades and dry east-side climates split the state. The normals show about 36.9 inches of rain and 208 sunny days across a typical year. Plan on roughly 27 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 67. Unemployment recently ran near 5.4%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates near 544.6 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Portland city, 1600000US4159000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Multnomah County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00024229 PORTLAND INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10