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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Portland Oregon: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

5.4% above

Cost of living in Portland is 5.4% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (index 105.4; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Portland is $1,648 a month.

Cost of living in Portland by category

Overall prices

105.4U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+5.4% vs. U.S.

Goods
105.2 +5.2%
Housing (rents)
125.1 +25.1%
Utilities
107.0 +7.0%
Other services
100.1 +0.1%

BEA 2024 · Portland metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,648/mo

Median gross rent

+11% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,500 +15% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,828 +23% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,364 +41% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$588,200 +63% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,671 +31% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$132/mo

Average electric bill

−16% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
16.0¢/kWh −13% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$19.12/Mcf About the same as U.S.
Utilities price index
107.0

EIA July 2026 · Oregon statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

24.4min

Mean travel time to work

−10% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
52.4%
Work from home
24.6%
Gasoline (PADD 5 avg.)
$5.07/gal +16% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$407/wk

Center care, infant

+135% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$379/wk +147% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$297/wk +106% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$250/wk +75% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Multnomah County Details: Child care

Income

$91,478/yr

Median household income

+12% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
6.4×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Portland

Median gross rent in Portland is $1,648 a month, 11% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 31.6% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 27.7% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $588,200, and 10.1% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Portland vs. Oregon vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Portland: $1,648; Oregon: $1,597; U.S.: $1,487 Portland $1,648 Oregon $1,597 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Portland: $2,671; Oregon: $2,234; U.S.: $2,035 Portland $2,671 Oregon $2,234 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Portland: $588,200; Oregon: $497,500; U.S.: $360,600 Portland $588,200 Oregon $497,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasurePortlandOregonU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,648$1,597$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,671$2,234$2,035
Median home value$588,200$497,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Portland

What renters pay in Portland Share of renter households paying cash rent in Portland by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.7%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 2.5%. Median $1,648. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $500: 3.7% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 2.5% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 5.6% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 10.8% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 18% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 31.6% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 14.1% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 3.9% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 2.5% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,648 (Portland) 31.6%
Show the data table
RangePortlandU.S.
Less than $5003.7%6.1%
$500–$7492.5%6.8%
$750–$9995.6%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24910.8%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49918%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99931.6%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49914.1%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9997.2%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4993.9%3.2%
$3,500 or more2.5%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Portland

Home values in Portland Share of owner-occupied homes in Portland by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 3.4%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 2.9%. Median $588,200. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $100,000: 3.4% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 0.2% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 0.7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 9.4% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 18.9% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 37.5% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 15.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 2.9% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $588,200 (Portland) 37.5%
Show the data table
RangePortlandU.S.
Less than $100,0003.4%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9990.2%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9990.7%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9991.7%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9992.4%8.5%
$300,000–$399,9999.4%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99918.9%12%
$500,000–$749,99937.5%16.3%
$750,000–$999,99915.6%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9997.2%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more2.9%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Portland

Measure Portland Oregon U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,648$1,597$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,500$1,377$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,828$1,620$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,364$1,958$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,671$2,234$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Portland?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Portland. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $65,900 a year.

The median home is worth $588,200, or 6.4 times the median household income.

Household income in Portland

The median household in Portland earns $91,478 a year, 12% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 17.1% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 15.3% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Portland vs. Oregon vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Portland: $91,478; Oregon: $85,220; U.S.: $81,604 Portland $91,478 Oregon $85,220 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasurePortlandOregonU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$91,478$85,220$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Portland

Household income distribution in Portland Share of households in Portland by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 17.1%. Median $91,478. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.9% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 5% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8.2% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10.3% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.7% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.7% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 17.1% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $91,478 (Portland) 17.1%
Show the data table
RangePortlandU.S.
Less than $10,0006%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.6%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.6%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.1%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.1%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.9%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.7%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9992.3%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.5%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9995%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998.2%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910.3%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.7%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99910.7%9.7%
$200,000 or more17.1%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Portland Oregon U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $91,478$85,220$81,604
Median home value $588,200$497,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area scored 105.4 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 125.1; the lowest is other services at 100.1.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Portland metro area: 105.4; Oregon: 103.4; U.S.: 100.0 Portland metro area 105.4 Oregon 103.4 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Portland metro area: 105.2; Oregon: 105.3; U.S.: 99.6 Portland metro area 105.2 Oregon 105.3 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Portland metro area: 125.1; Oregon: 108.6; U.S.: 100.6 Portland metro area 125.1 Oregon 108.6 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Portland metro area: 107.0; Oregon: 107.0; U.S.: 98.4 Portland metro area 107.0 Oregon 107.0 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Portland metro area: 100.1; Oregon: 100.3; U.S.: 100.1 Portland metro area 100.1 Oregon 100.3 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasurePortland metro areaOregonU.S.
All items105.4103.4100.0
Goods105.2105.399.6
Housing (rents)125.1108.6100.6
Utilities107.0107.098.4
Other services100.1100.3100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Oregon paid an average of 16.0¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $132 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $19.12 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Oregon averages rather than figures for Portland alone.

Energy prices: Oregon vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Oregon: 16.0¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Oregon 16.0¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Oregon: $132; U.S.: $157 Oregon $132 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Oregon: $19.12; U.S.: $19.40 Oregon $19.12 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureOregonU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)16.0¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$132$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$19.12$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Portland who commute spend an average of 24.4 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (52.4% of workers); 24.6% work from home. Gasoline in the West Coast region (PADD 5, excluding California), which includes Oregon, averaged $5.07 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Oregon price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Portland: Drove alone 52.4%, Carpooled 7.1%, Public transit 7.1%, Walked 4.3%, Bicycle 3.2%, Worked from home 24.6%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. Oregon: Drove alone 65.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 2.4%, Walked 3.4%, Bicycle 1.3%, Worked from home 17.1%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.3%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Portland: Drove alone. Portland Portland · Drove alone: 52.4% 52.4% Portland · Carpooled: 7.1% Portland · Public transit: 7.1% Portland · Walked: 4.3% Portland · Bicycle: 3.2% Portland · Worked from home: 24.6% 24.6% Portland · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% Oregon Oregon · Drove alone: 65.2% 65.2% Oregon · Carpooled: 9.2% Oregon · Public transit: 2.4% Oregon · Walked: 3.4% Oregon · Bicycle: 1.3% Oregon · Worked from home: 17.1% 17.1% Oregon · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.3% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationPortlandOregonU.S.
Drove alone52.4%65.2%69.2%
Carpooled7.1%9.2%9.2%
Public transit7.1%2.4%3.7%
Walked4.3%3.4%2.4%
Bicycle3.2%1.3%0.5%
Worked from home24.6%17.1%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.5%1.3%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Portland

Travel time to work in Portland Share of workers who do not work from home in Portland by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.3%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.3%. Mean 24.4 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 6.8% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 13.3% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 17.1% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 18.3% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 9.3% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15.1% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 3.6% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 3.8% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 6.8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 3.3% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.3% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 24.4 min (Portland) 18.3%
Show the data table
RangePortlandU.S.
Less than 5 min1.3%2.8%
5–9 min6.8%9.4%
10–14 min13.3%13.1%
15–19 min17.1%15%
20–24 min18.3%14.1%
25–29 min9.3%7%
30–34 min15.1%13.7%
35–39 min3.6%3.4%
40–44 min3.8%4.1%
45–59 min6.8%8.3%
60–89 min3.3%6.3%
90 min or more1.3%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Portland

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $407 a week in Multnomah County, or $21,168 over 52 weeks. That is 135% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Multnomah County Oregon (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $407$197$174
Center-based care, toddler $379$181$153
Center-based care, preschool $297$150$144
Center-based care, school-age $111$62$120
Home-based family care, infant $250$173$143
Home-based family care, toddler $221$164$132
Home-based family care, preschool $208$153$131
Home-based family care, school-age $173$142$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Portland prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Portland?

Median rent is $1,500 for a one-bedroom and $1,828 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Portland?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 11.8% pay less than $1,000 a month, 60.4% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 27.7% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Portland?

To keep the median rent of $1,648 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $65,900 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Portland more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area at 105.4 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 5.4% above average. Housing rents score 125.1.

How long is the average commute in Portland?

24.4 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Portland?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $407 a week in Multnomah County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.