The City of Roses, Bridge City, Rip City, Stumptown—the collection of quirky nicknames is a perfect match to the offbeat character of the city of Portland, Oregon. A great example of Portland’s eccentricity is that it is home to Mills End Park, which is the world’s smallest park and features only one tree on its 2-foot wide circle of land. The unique culture and vast beauty of Portland make this one of the best places to live on the West Coast. If you’re considering relocating, our handy guide can help you understand the cost of living in Portland.
Rental costs
Portland falls just outside the 30 most expensive cities for renting in the United States. The average one-bedroom apartment rent in Portland is $1,500 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment will set you back around $1,800 per month. Prices vary across different communities. Check out our guide to some of our favorite Portland neighborhoods.
Utilities
You may have to pay for electricity, heating, water, and garbage, so it’s important to consider the cost of utilities. The average monthly cost of these utilities in Portland is around $206 for a 915-square-foot apartment. Be sure to find out which utilities you’re responsible for at the apartments you’re considering.
Food
Portland’s food scene is just as creative as the rest of the city, so you’ll want to get out and experience it. The cart and truck culture means you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a great meal. In most places, you’ll get change from a $10 bill. If you want a sit-down meal, expect to pay around $15 at a cheap restaurant and $75 for a three-course dinner for two at a midrange place like Mediterranean Exploration Company, Q Restaurant & Bar, or Blossoming Lotus.
Most residents don’t eat out all the time, so you’ll also need to budget for groceries. These are around 8% higher than the national average. Expect to spend at least $438.25 per person on groceries for the month. If you favor exotic ingredients and organic produce, you’ll need to allow a little more.
Transportation
Transportation costs in Portland are 26% higher than the national average, so prepare to spend some money on your daily commute. Portland’s TriMet system offers excellent public transportation, including buses, light-rail trains, and the Portland Streetcar. You can purchase a monthly Hop LastPass for unlimited travel on all TriMet services for $100 or get a day pass for $5. Discounts apply to certain groups, including children, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.
If you have your own vehicle, expect to pay around $5.50 for a gallon of gas. You’ll also need to pay for metered parking between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. While districts set their own rates, you’ll usually pay between $1 and $3.50 an hour.
Health care
Portland has an excellent health care system, including the nationally recognized OHSU Hospital and high-performing health facilities like Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center. However, that superb health care isn’t cheap; it actually costs 15% more than the national average. Prepare to spend around $136.40 seeing a doctor and $116.60 on a dentist’s visit. If you’re moving with a pet, their vet visits should cost around $62.70.
Childcare
If you’re moving to Portland with children, childcare is another cost worth considering. The average childcare provider in Portland charges $16.44 per hour. Rates can vary substantially, from $12.75 on the low end to $24 on the high side. You can expect to pay more for childcare providers with first-aid qualifications. Full-time care usually has a slightly higher rate than part-time care.
Fitness and entertainment
Portland’s warm climate encourages people to get outdoors and exercise for free. Around 6% of employees cycle to work, which is 10 times the national average. Portland also has some superb hiking trails, including the Pittock Mansion Hike, Mount Tabor, and Forest Park. If you’d prefer sweating it out in a gym, set aside around $61.70 for your monthly membership.
You also don’t need to spend a lot on entertainment in Portland. There are so many free public events, including the Portland Saturday Market in Downtown Portland, and the First Thursday Gallery Walk in the Pearl District. Spending some money will help you see the best of the city. You’ll want to hit up the Oregon Zoo, where general admission for adults costs $24, and children’s passes cost $19. The atmosphere cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers is also unreal. Average tickets cost $72, but you can find them for as low as $9.
Taxes
Oregon doesn’t charge a sales tax, which is a big win for Portland residents and shoppers. Oregon charges a flat income tax rate of between $0 and $4,114, depending on your income, if you earn up to $50,000. If you make between $50,000 and $125,000, you’ll pay $4,118 plus 8.75% of the amount greater than $50,000. People earning more than $125,000 pay $10,681 plus 9.9% of the amount they earn more than $125,000.
Average income
The average income of Portland’s residents is $69,969 per year. Most annual salaries in the city range between $51,778 and $86,497. The salary you’ll earn depends on your profession, years of experience, and qualifications.
The cost of living in Portland compared to other cities in Oregon
Portland is one of Oregon’s most expensive cities, with a higher overall cost of living than the national average. Its health care and utilities are marginally cheaper than the state average, but it has more expensive groceries, housing, and transportation. It’s the only Oregon city to make the top 100 list of the most expensive cities to rent in. It’s 11.5% more expensive than Gresham, 19.5% more expensive than Eugene, and 22% more expensive than Salem.
FAQ: Cost of living in Portland
With a little grit and perseverance, you can find a desirable apartment in Portland that meets your personal and financial needs. Here are some tips for conducting your apartment search:
Determine your personal needs: Consider what elements you must have in your apartment, your likes and preferences, and any factors that don’t matter as much to you. When you get very clear on your essential needs, you can decide where to compromise and save.
Make a plan for your apartment search: List helpful contacts and online sites you will use for your apartment search. Then write useful notes about how the apartment application process works and questions to ask your property manager before signing a lease.
Work on your apartment search consistently: Spend some time every day on your apartment search since lower-rent apartments aren’t usually on the market very long. It’s easy to search available apartments in Portland daily through Zumper.
Consider living in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Metro area: Moving away from the city center can decrease your rent costs. This might make your commute further or reduce your access to public transportation, so consider all these factors during your apartment search.
Consider getting a roommate: Finding a roommate is a simple way of reducing the cost of living by splitting expenses such as rent and utilities. However, you want to consider carefully who you select as your roommate.
Use our online tools to make your apartment search easier: You can easily filter your personal requirements by clicking on the “Filters” button on the search page and choosing options like the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, pets, and more. If you have a dog or cat, for example, you can search for pet-friendly apartments in Portland with a single click.
The cheapest rent in Portland depends on many factors. You can find a studio apartment for as low as $795 per month and a one-bedroom apartment for as low as $850 per month. Budget-friendly apartments usually get rented very quickly, so be consistent with your apartment search. Also, be open to exploring different areas of the city, as rents can vary greatly in different locations.
With a little research and perseverance, you will be able to find a great apartment in Portland. The city offers a wide variety of entertainment, from music and nature to the arts, and it has an eclectic spirit that you can enjoy, for a price.
Related content
