Living in Portland, OR: cost, climate, Chinese community & taxes

Portland, OR at a glance for newcomers — every number is from an official source.

Metro area: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

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High state income taxMild summersShort commutes

💰 Money

Cost of living (US = 100): 105.4 (above average)
Median rent: $1,767/mo
Median home value: $585k
Median household income: $99k

🌤️ Climate

January average: 41.9°F 5°C
July average high: 81.9°F 28°C
Rain + snow (water) per year: 36.92 in
Days ≥ 90°F / ≤ 32°F: 15 / 32 days/yr

NOAA station: Portland Intl (USW00024229), 1991–2020

🥟 People & community

Population: 2.5M
Chinese / Taiwanese: 1.6% ~41k
Asian: 7.8%
Bachelor’s degree+ (adults): 43.5%
Computer / engineering / science jobs: 10.1%

🚇 Getting around

Commute by transit: 3.4%
Drive alone to work: 62.9%
Work from home: 20.0%
Average commute: 25 min

🧾 Taxes

State income tax (top rate): 9.9% OR
Sales tax (state + avg. local): 0%

Portland-area high earners also pay Metro SHS (1% over $128k single) and Multnomah Preschool for All (1.5–3% over $125k single). Living across the river in Vancouver, WA means no state income tax. ↗

✈️ Flights to China

No nonstop to mainland China from PDX — you’ll connect

💼 Compare job offers after tax →

Sources