What Salary Do You Need to Live in Portland, OR?

To live comfortably in Portland, a household needs to earn roughly $70,000/year. That's about $5,833/month before taxes.

The Number: $70,000/year

At $70,000 per year, a household in Portland can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Portland's median monthly rent of $1,648 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Portland at a Glance

Median rent$1,648/mo
Median home price$588,200
Median household income$91,478
State income taxUp to 9.9%
Sales tax0%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Portland on roughly $45,000/year. That's about $3,750/month before taxes.

See the full Portland cost of living profile →

Compare Portland to another city →

Try the Salary Calculator

Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Portland

The median monthly rent is $1,648. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $66,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $588,200. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $117,640 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $91,478/year. Our recommended salary of $70,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.