Portland, OR, known as 'The City of Roses,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Located in northwestern Oregon, Portland is a large city renowned for its vibrant arts scene, eco-friendly culture, and diverse neighborhoods. Major nearby cities like Vancouver, WA, and Salem enhance its status as a central hub in the Pacific Northwest. Portland's blend of scenic parks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Portland is home to several iconic landmarks, including the International Rose Test Garden, Powell's City of Books, and the Portland Art Museum. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Forest Park, which provides extensive hiking trails, to the bustling Pearl District, known for its trendy shops and restaurants. Portland's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table cuisine to food carts serving international dishes.
Annual events such as the Portland Rose Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Portland's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Portland is vibrant and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Oregon Symphony and the Portland Center Stage at The Armory are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Portland provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and outdoor activities, making it an exciting place to call home.
Portland’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Trail Blazers (NBA) and the Timbers (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Portland include technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Intel and Legacy Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, light rail, and a bike-sharing program, making it easy to navigate the city.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Portland is a big city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 650,380 residents. In Portland, there are 4,873 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Portland is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Portland is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 45% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Portland is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Portland could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Oregon if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Portland and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Oregon and national averages.
With a livability score of 77/100, Portland is ranked #2,100 in the United States and #67 in Oregon. Clearly, Portland is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Portland ranks well for education (B-), employment (A) and housing (B) There is at least one category that did not score well in Portland. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F) and cost of living (F).
If you're living in Portland, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Portland an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Walking Tours, and International Rose Test Garden.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Portland excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Portland is real estate affordability. The median home price for Portland homes is $438,500, which is 77.4% higher than the Oregon average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Portland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6, which is 30.4% higher than the Oregon average.
| Statistic | Portland | Oregon | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 55.7% | 71.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.9% | 10.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 11.4% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 5.4% | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.5% | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.7% | 6.4% | 4.6% |
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