The Cost of Living Diaries: Portland, OR
How much does it cost to live in Portland, Oregon? We asked a local to give us all of the details.
Portland, OR, is consistently one of the most popular cities featured on Livability. It is a beautiful, welcoming city with endless things to do. So, how much does it really cost to live in Portland? We asked a local to give us the scoop on everything from the cost of rent to lattes to a great dinner out.
Dmytryk Carreño
City: Portland, OR
Profession: Writer/Designer
How long have you lived in Portland, and what brought you here?
My wife and I have lived in Portland for two years now. We came up from California because we needed a change. We both left not-so-great jobs and a high cost of living to come here and get a fresh start. I think we’d both say it was the right move.
How would you describe the community?
Well, it all depends on where in the city you are, kind of like NYC or LA. Where we live, in the Southeast, it’s super chill and friendly. You’ve got people of all ages, singles, families, different income levels and tons of pets roaming around. It’s like we’re all one big happy family here. We’ve got tight bonds with our neighbors and the local spots. It feels like living in a sitcom or Mr. Roger’s neighborhood.
How affordable is rent/mortgage in Portland?
I wouldn’t call Portland a cheap place to live, but it’s definitely more affordable than where I lived before and one of the more affordable bigger cities on the West Coast. I think I might call PDX a slightly higher than middle-of-the-road place to live, especially out of all the “major cities” in the country. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Portland will run you about $1,500 a month.
What is grocery shopping like, and what’s your average grocery bill?
Grocery shopping can sometimes be stressful, particularly with the recent price increase for nearly everything over the past year. However, it’s all about understanding where to find specific items: coffee and baked goods, pantry essentials and fresh produce. It is possible to tackle everything in a single trip, but if you have the time and patience to make multiple stops, you can discover incredible deals on high-quality items.
How family-friendly is Portland?
Some areas of town are more family-friendly than others. Although I don’t have children myself, I’ve observed that our neighborhood is bustling with families. In the warmer months, I often spot kids playing basketball and riding bikes on the streets and in the nearby parks. Coffee shops are filled with strollers, and large groups of teens stop by the nearest food carts for some after-school snacks. All of this suggests a strong sense of safety and community trust. That being said, the cost of childcare is higher than the national average.
What is the cost of dinner & drinks for two, and what are some of your favorite places to go?
Portland is a foodie city. You can have a great date night on any budget here in Portland. There’s something for everyone out here between the array of restaurants, food carts and bars. Some of my favorite spots are within a couple blocks of my apartment. Oma’s Hideaway, Alpenrausch, Modern Thai, Casa Italia and Loretta Jean’s are all in the same two blocks. All of them are incredible. You can definitely go and have a great meal and cocktail for under $100.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop you like to go to?
Absolutely! You can’t live here and not have a favorite or two. Although I hesitate to name them here if only for the possibility that they might become swamped as a result, I don’t believe in gatekeeping that kind of information. My personal favorites are Wallflower Coffee and Eastside Coffee Bar, but there are so many in my part of town that are noteworthy: Upper Left Coffee Roasters, Keeper Coffee, Coava, Stumptown, I can go on and on. Try ‘em all and see which one suits your needs! A latte will set you back somewhere between $4.50 to $6.
How would you describe Portland to someone coming there for the first time?
I would describe it as both exactly what you’re imagining and surprising in ways you would never expect. I had visited a couple of times before moving here and thought I knew what I was getting into. I was and still am happily surprised every day.
What are some free or low-cost recreation options in Portland?
There are many parks to visit and play in, plenty of little art galleries and book shops to explore, and low-cost museums, shops, and bars to hang out in.
How walkable is Portland? Is there a good public transit system?
Portland is incredibly walkable. Each of Portland’s little neighborhoods has almost everything you would need within a few city blocks. The farthest I would have to go to get something I truly do not have access to in my part of town is about a mile, and even then, I could walk if I wanted to. Public transit is fine, but there are also scooters and bikes to use if you have the right apps.
What are your absolute favorite things about Portland?
I love that, at its core, Portland is a small town. If you’re open to people, experiences, and making new connections, you can find a community here pretty quickly. Yes, it’s a little weird sometimes, and sure, it has its metropolitan problems, but the people here are generally friendly. Portlanders love Portland, and that kind of positivity is contagious.
Interested in moving somewhere with a lower cost of living? Not sure which cities are more affordable? Check out The Cost of Living Diaries series where we talk to people who’ve moved and find out how it has affected them, their finances and their quality of life.