Portland, Oregon is a large city with a population of 620,589 inhabitants. Portland has a population density of 4,650 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (78% White). Given that fact, Portland could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Portland might be a good fit as 74% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 59% have kids who are 18 years old or younger.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Portland is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Oregon, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like commute, health & safety, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Portland and in the areas around Portland is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 77/100, Portland is ranked #2,351 in the United States and #65 in Oregon. Clearly, Portland is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Portland also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Portland ranks very well for employment (B+) and housing (B). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Portland. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F) and cost of living (F).
Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, shops, etc., Portland has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. If you’re planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, it’s nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Walking Tours, and International Rose Test Garden.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Portland has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Portland meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Portland. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Portland are simply unattainable. The median home price for Portland homes is $319,400, which is 29.2% 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 5.5, which is 19.6% 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% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
Here are the best places to live in Oregon
Top 10 best public schools in Portland
These are the 10 most affordable cities in Oregon
Top 10 cities in Oregon with the best education system