Cost of Living in Portland, United States
Portland is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,987 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,063 per month, or $1,638 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Portland scores 38/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 85°F and winter highs around 46°F, with roughly 152 sunny days a year.
How Portland Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Portland ranks in the top 4% for air quality, but costs more than 92% of them.
| Metric | Portland | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,987 | #313 of 340 | #63 of 80 |
| Safety | 38/100 | #291 of 340 | #60 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 65/100 | #200 of 340 | #69 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 67/100 | #121 of 340 | #16 of 80 |
| Public transit | 49/100 | #132 of 340 | #19 of 80 |
| Food scene | 88/100 | #40 of 340 | #6 of 80 |
| Air quality | 94/100 | #12 of 340 | #2 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Portland
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Portland.
- Austin, United States — $2,495/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 48/100 · Compare with Portland
- Santa Fe, United States — $2,040/mo, 32% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Buffalo, United States — $2,388/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Pittsburgh, United States — $2,322/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 46/100
Everyday Prices in Portland, Compared
| Item | Portland | Against other cities |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent, city centre | $2,063/mo | Pricier than 87% |
| 1BR rent, outside centre | $1,638/mo | Pricier than 88% |
| Utilities | $229/mo | Pricier than 75% |
| Home internet | $68/mo | Pricier than 79% |
| Transit pass | $100/mo | Pricier than 90% |
| Gym membership | $43/mo | Cheaper than 58% |
| Cheap restaurant meal | $22 | Pricier than 85% |
| Cappuccino | $1.08 | Cheaper than 96% |
| Local beer at a bar | $7 | Pricier than 76% |
Compared with every other city in Voyica's price data that reports the same item.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Portland
Portland FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Portland?
A single person should budget around $2,987 per month in Portland, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,900 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Portland?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Portland averages $2,063 per month, dropping to about $1,638 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,700.
Is Portland safe?
Portland scores 38/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.
How fast is the internet in Portland?
Median download speeds in Portland are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 55 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Portland?
Portland sees summer highs around 85°F and winter highs near 46°F, with about 152 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 124 days.
Portland in our travel guides
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