Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Portland, OR

    Is Portland a good place to live?

    Watch Portland

    Portland ranks #24 of 27 Oregon cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (33/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.5% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $557,600
    +6.6% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,596
    per month
    Household income
    $88,792
    median
    Unemployment
    5.5%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Portland

    The median home value in Portland is $557,600 and median rent is $1,596 a month, against a median household income of $88,792. Homes cost about 6.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Portland crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Oregon the 2025 rate was 319 violent and 2,184 property crimes per 100,000 people — #4 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Portland, OR

    Portland has about 642,715 residents, 5.5% unemployment and 32% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Portland with

    Portland vs EugenePortland vs SalemPortland vs GreshamPortland vs HillsboroPortland vs BendPortland vs BeavertonPortland vs MedfordPortland vs Springfield

    More: Where to move in Oregon · Best counties in Oregon

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report