The Portland metro is home to 557,764 people (up 5.4% over five years), with a median household income of $88,602. Typical rent of $2,296/month works out to 31.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Portland's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.4% |
| Retail trade | 12.1% |
| Professional & management | 12.1% |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.4% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Portland market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,296/month suggests a household income around $92,000/year. The metro's median household income is $88,602.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.4%), Retail trade (12.1%), Professional & management (12.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).