The US Census Bureau’s most recent data estimate Portland’s population is 630,498. | Photo by @explore_wme
With Portland constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured it was time to talk about the cost of planting some roots in Rose City.
The median household income in Portland is $78,476, according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Oregon has the 19th-highest median income in the country at ~$65,700per household.
The overall cost of living in Portland is higher than the national average, and higher than the rest of the state.
In Portland, the cost of healthcare is lower compared to other parts of the state and the US. However, the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses in the city have higher average costs than other cities in Oregon and the country overall.
Breaking down the numbers
Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually – according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in Portland is $1,746 — leaving you little-to-no wiggle room.
According to a recent study by Attom Data Solutions, it’s still more affordable to rent a home in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties than to buy.
Take a look at the chart below to see how Portland’s cost of living compares to that of Salem.
Portland has slightly more affordable health care than Salem.
Interested in seeing Portland’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We played around on nerdwallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can search other locations along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what cities you could actually afford to live in.
We took a look at the cost of living in Portland compared to Phoenix, AZ. Here’s what we found:
The cost of living is 18% lowerin Phoenix.
To maintain our standard of living, a Phoenix household would need to bring in $41,248.
The median cost for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,996, which is $569 less than Portland.
There are also a number of local development firms working on apartments seemingly all the time — from the massive, 34-acre Broadway Corridor redevelopment to the construction of Hayu Tilixam, which will offer 50 units of affordable housing in the Cully neighborhood.
POLL
What would you tell someone who is considering moving here about the cost of living?
A. Prepare yourself for sticker shock - it’s expensive
B. Prices are reasonable - not exorbitant, not cheap
C. This is a really affordable city to live
Snow Day | Wednesday, Dec. 14-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th Ave., Portland | Free | Trek through a colorful winter wonderland and browse wrapping paper, gift bags, tree ornaments, yard decor, and tons of never-before-seen Mike Bennett merch.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Let’s Write: Holiday Hits | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | Show Bar at Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., Portland | Free | Join Portland Songwriters for its second community event where 30 local musicians will perform an original song written within the last month.
Friday, Dec. 16
Krampus: A Haunted Christmas | Friday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | The Fear PDX Haunted House, 12219 NE Glisan St., Portland | $9.99-$29.99 | Trade your Christmas cheer for a little fear and find out what’s in store for those on the really naughty list at one of three immersive walk-throughs.
Holiday Drag Show | Friday, Dec. 16 | 7-11 p.m. | Freeland Spirits, 2671 NW Vaughn St., Portland | $10 | Enjoy festive cocktails and a night of entertainment hosted by Boujee Cherry, Amy Takill, and Jayla Rose, with a portion of ticket proceeds donated to Q Center.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Stumptown SantaCon | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 4-10 p.m. | Locations vary, Ankeny Alley, Portland | $25 | Festive costumes are required at this themed fundraising festival featuring block party DJs, dancing, and 2,500+ Santas partying in the street.
Sunday, Dec. 18
“Patrick Lamb’s Charlie Brown Christmas” | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 5 p.m. | Oregon Zoo’s Cascade Crest Ballroom, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland | $30 | Listen to the legendary music of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi performed by local award-winning musicians at this concert benefiting Transitional Youth.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Start your engines because Portland will host a Formula E racefor the first time next year. The all-electric championship racing series will start in Mexico City and end in London, with round 12 of 16 — originally slated for Brooklyn — taking place at Portland International Raceway on Saturday, June 24. 🏁 (Portland Business Journal + Engadget)
Health
Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state this season. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. 💉 (Verywell Health)
Development
A 4.4-acre property in Northwest Portland is expected to sell to Oregon-based MLR Ventures LLC for $8.25 million — nearly $5 million less than the previously negotiated price. Prosper Portland, the city’s economic development arm, has owned the former flour mill since 2000 and has spent millions on its maintenance. 🏗️ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Eat
The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s Dumpling Week, an “annual celebration of all things wrapped in dough,” will return to Portland in 2023. Restaurants, food carts, and bars interested in serving special dumplings for $14 or less between Jan. 29 and Feb. 4 are encouraged to apply by Monday, Jan. 2. 🥟 (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Plan Ahead
At 92 years of age, Walter Cole — aka Darcelle XV — is the world’s oldest drag queen performer, but he’s not slowing down. Walter and his team are currently working on a dazzlingNew Year’s Eve show, featuring special guests, champagne, and breakfast served at midnight. Tickets are $50. 👑 (OPB)
Shop
Some of downtown Portland’s vacant retail spaces are hosting pop-up shops for the holidays. Approx. 80 local designers and artists are selling goods at seven different locations. Shoppers will also find beverage sellers for the first time.
What gifts are on the radar this season? City EditorBen is ready to craft a holiday cocktail with this Rose Cordial Syrup, and City Editor Cambrie is ready to mix things up with this Bright Chai Syrup. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️
Drink
Customers at Sunflower Sake can choose from 200+ bottles of Japan’s famous rice-based alcoholic beverage. The Southeast Portland shop serves custom flights paired with imported snacks — or otsumami — and hosts educational classes every other week. “I feel like sake is such an unbelievably perfect fit for this city,” said owner Nina Murphy. 🍶 (Eater Portland)
Portlander
Chris Marchini made a quilt for his mother-in-law in 2018 and got hooked. Now, he creates quilting patterns for his own brand: Rose City Originals. Chris’ unique designs — like bird skulls, poison apples, and massive moths — have attracted attention on social media, netting the quilter 100,000+ followers across TikTok and Instagram. 🧵 (KPTV)
Number
4.9 million sqft. That’s how much self-storage space was built in the Portland metro area between 2012 and 2021, according to a new study. RentCafe ranked Portland among the top 20 metro areas in the US for the highest volume of apartment and self-storage construction during that period. 📦 (RentCafe + KOIN)
Travel
How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*
Editor’s pick: Did you know yesterday was National Day of the Horse? Congress designated the day in 2004 as a reminder to appreciate the contributions of horses to the economy, history, and character of the US.
You may know by now that I have two of these magical beasts — Halo and Valentine — so I couldn’t pass up a chance to give the equine world a shout-out. They really are special creatures whose history is thoroughly interwoven with our own. If you like historical books, I recommend reading “The Perfect Horse.”
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