Thinking about moving to Portland, Oregon?
Jump to any of the following sections to learn more about what to expect living in Portland.
Navigation Jump Links
- Portland At-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Portland
- Economy and job outlook in Portland
- Real estate in Portland
- The top neighborhoods in Portland
- How to get around in Portland
- School and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Portland
- 10 can’t miss things to do in Portland
Portland, OR At-A-Glance
Portland is a city that needs no introduction, but we’ll give it one anyway: as the sacred city of America’s counterculture, Portland has been attracting beats, burnouts, hippies, artists, and yes, hipsters, for generations.
But culture has never been the only reason to move to Portland, which also boasts fantastic access to nature, great schools, a temperate climate, and a robust creative economy. These perks have attracted waves of new residents moving to Oregon: according to United Van Lines 46th Annual National Movers Study, the Beaver State was the second most popular state to relocate to in 2022. The company also cited customer data showing “younger millennials migrating to vibrant, metropolitan economies, like Portland, Oregon” as a top moving destination in the last year.
Portland: Lush Landscape, Enticing Eats and Best Brews
If you had to sum up the three best reasons to move to Portland, there would be an abundance of things to eat, drink and explore! It helps that for starters you have a beautiful green backdrop for any activity outdoors. Dozens of lush green spaces dot the city, each with a unique offering and vibe.
And you’ll never have a shortage of things to do. According to Landing, “one of the many joys of moving to Portland, Oregon, is getting to indulge in the city’s myriad fairs, festivals, performing arts events, and other fun happenings throughout the year.” Make plans to attend the Oregon Brewers Festival, a fun event celebrating the state’s top breweries and held every July. Or sign up for Pedalpalooza, which features free cycling events all summer long, including the World Naked Bike Ride, which is as “free” as it sounds (get bare if you dare).
When you’re done cycling, you can replenish yourself with a fresh, farm-to-table meal and wash it down with one of the city’s best brews. In Portland, it’s unheard of to have a bad meal or beverage. Creative chefs are constantly dreaming up inventive dishes that highlight eclectic cuisines and Portland’s fantastic food scene.
Portland Economy is Bracing for a Bounceback
Portland was a city that went through a huge transformation coming out of the Great Recession. As one of the 100 largest metros in the country, the city ranked in the Top 10 for high-wage job growth, median household income gains, and increases in postsecondary education. Portland has not fared as well this time around since the COVID-19 pandemic cratered the local and global economy.
Industries expected to do well within the next year include construction, leisure, and hospitality. And regardless of how quickly the local economy bounces back, the area is still a hotbed for a number of other industries, including technology, athletic and outdoor apparel, healthcare and manufacturing. You’ll find apparel giants like NIKE, Inc., Columbia Sportswear Co. and adidas North America as well as technology stalwarts like Google and Oracle all with large offices located in Portland.
-
- Unemployment rate: 2.9 percent (as of April 2023)
- Average weekly wages for all industries: $1,344 (as of June 2023)
Close to Half of All Portland Residents Rent Their Homes
When it comes to housing in Portland, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that you’ll pay significantly less than nearby Seattle. Median home prices have risen nearly 53 percent in the last decade, which means you’ll pay roughly $500,000 for a home (compared with $816,000 in Seattle and nearly twice the national average).
Given the housing prices, it makes sense why close to half of Portland residents rent their homes. The averaged rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,375, which represents an 8 percent decrease from the previous year. Payscale ranks Portland’s cost of living as 29 percent higher than the national average but those numbers can vary, depending on a person’s desired lifestyle.
