Portland 81 Exceptional
Portland Livability #30 ranked city in Texas#1,533 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Portland

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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

    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.

  • Employment 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 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 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Portland?

Portland, Texas is a medium-sized city with a population of 18,353 inhabitants. At 88%, the majority of the Portland population is White; this is followed by 2% Asian and 1% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Portland are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 19% of the population also speak Spanish. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Portland is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Portland, Texas. 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. With useful information like commute, 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.

Portland, TX receives 81/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #29 in Texas and #1,325 in the USA. Based on this score, Portland would be considered a very livable city! Portland also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Portland ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Portland does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Portland has a violent crime rate of 156 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Portland, the unemployment rate stands at 2.1%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Portland market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Portland is actually affordable. The median home price for Portland homes is $328,788, which is 28.1% higher than the Texas 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 2.8, which is 12.5% lower than the Texas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Portland

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Portland?

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      Portland transportation information

      Statistic Portland Texas National
      Average one way commute21min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.3%80.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.7%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%1.6%2.8%
      Working from home5.9%4.3%4.6%
      Source: The Portland, TX data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.