Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
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.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Portland is a smaller city located in the state of Michigan. The city has a population of 3,931 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Portland is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Portland could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 32 years old is below the nation’s average. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Portland entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Portland, Michigan. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Portland and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, commute, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Michigan and national averages.
The livability score in Portland is 73 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 85th percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we see that Portland ranks very well for crime (B+), cost of living (A+), employment (B) and housing (A-). Regrettably for Portland, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Portland has an unemployment rate of 0.88% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
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 $125,000, which is 2.2% lower than the Michigan 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 2.1, which is 16% lower than the Michigan average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Portland | Michigan | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 85.0% | 82.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.3% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.6% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.4% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
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