Distant view of the city of Portland, Oregon, during sunset with Mount Hood in the distance and lush, green trees in the foreground.

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Moving to Portland, Oregon? 13 Pros and Cons to Know Before You Go

Oregon Portland (OR)

by Bridget Houlihan Posted on May 27, 2025

Whether you love the quirky appeal of Portlandia, are a big outdoors enthusiast, or are looking to land a great job in one of the city’s many sectors, there are a lot of reasons to consider moving to Portland, Oregon. This Pacific Northwest city is one of the most popular destinations for people looking for a fresh start, and it’s easy to see why.

Planning a move to Portland? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Portland is famous for its rugged natural beauty, not to mention its great location — you can be at the Pacific Ocean or in the mountains in around an hour. It’s also home to people committed to living in an environmentally friendly way. In fact, the city is known as Biketown USA (and has a bike-share system under the same moniker) for a reason. There are over 350 miles of trails to explore, and commuters make daily use of the bike lanes throughout the city. Additionally, Portland has a great public transit system to help alleviate traffic that’s developed as a result of the city becoming more popular.

“Keep Portland Weird” is the city’s slogan, and you’ll find a whole host of people who embrace the eccentric. The arts and music scene is thriving in PDX — a major reason why creatives seek out this city and keep its cultural scene unconventional.

So if you’re considering moving to Portland, Oregon, you’ve probably come here to learn about why this is such a great city to live in. Before we delve deeper, though, here are some FAQs about PDX.

Moving to Portland, Oregon — FAQs

Q: Is Portland, Oregon, a good place to move to?
A: Yes, Portland, Oregon, is a great place to move. There are plenty of jobs, a high quality of life, and access to lots of natural areas.

Q: Is it expensive to move to Portland?
A: Your cost for moving to Portland, Oregon, will depend on the distance you’re traveling and how much stuff you have. MoveBuddha estimates the cost for hiring a mover in Portland to be anywhere between $468 and $4,278.

Q: How much money do you need to live comfortably in Portland, Oregon?
A: In order to live comfortably, SmartAsset recommends that 50 percent of your budget be allocated to cover basic needs, 30 percent to entertainment and fun, and 20 percent to pay down debt, invest, and save. By applying that 50/30/20 budget to MIT’s living wage estimate, we determined that a single person living in Portland, Oregon, would need to earn an annual income of $114,274 before taxes to live comfortably.

Q: Is Portland or Seattle more affordable?
A: Portland is more affordable than Seattle, in both cost of living and housing prices.

Q: Is it worth moving to Portland, Oregon?
A: Moving to Portland, Oregon, is absolutely worth it if you’re into things like great food, craft beer, friendly people, and a more affordable cost of living than nearby Seattle.

If you’re a fan of outdoor festivals, a hopping dining scene, craft beer, and art, then moving to Portland, Oregon, is a great idea.
(Source: Justin Shen via Unsplash)

1. Pro: Living in Portland, Oregon Means Never Running Out of Things To Do

There is always something going on in Portland — no matter if you’re a fan of music, art, outdoors, sports, festivals, craft beer, or fine dining. Portlanders have lots to choose from when it comes to after work or weekend excursions, so you’ll never have to worry about being bored!

2. Con: It’s Not Cheap To Buy a Home in Portland

While still not yet at the levels of San Francisco or Seattle, it is expensive to buy a house or rent in Portland when compared to other places in the U.S.

Portland has a higher cost of living than a lot of other major cities. The average home value has held pretty steady over the past few years, with the current average home value sitting around $547,400. Depending on where you move from, you can expect a good chunk of your paycheck to go toward housing — especially when you consider the national average sits at $367,700.

3. Pro: Moving to Portland, Oregon, Means Easy Access to the Great Outdoors

Many of the folks drawn to Portland like being outdoors. Whether that’s hiking, biking, rafting, boating, camping, or anything in between, chances are you’ll be able to find it in Portland. There are green spaces all over the city, as well as easy access to Tryon Creek State Natural Area and Mt. Hood National Forest.

4. Con: You’ll Want To Buy an Umbrella if You’re Moving to Oregon

Because of its location, Portland sees a lot of cloudy skies and a decent amount of rainfall throughout the year. And while the weather is pretty mild overall, you can experience snow or ice storms in the winter capable of stalling the city for a few days. The summers are pleasant and don’t have high humidity, but there is the ever-present threat of wildfires that can put a smoky damper on plans.

Portland is known for its food and beverage options — especially the local coffee and craft beer communities
(Source: Leslie Lopez Holder via Unsplash)

5. Pro: If You’re Moving to Portland, Oregon, Prepare To Eat and Drink Well

In addition to the arts scene, Portland is known for its food and beverage options — especially the local coffee and craft beer communities. There are eclectic restaurants located throughout the city to suit any — and we mean any — palate or dietary preference, plus friendly craft brewers who would love to share a pint with you.

6. Con: The Cost of Living in Portland Is Above the National Average

One of the most important things to research is whether or not you can afford the cost of living in your new city. In Portland, it’s about 28 percent higher than the national average index, however, the per capita income in the city is nearly 13 percent higher — which definitely helps. Still, when compared to nearby Seattle (where the cost of living is nearly 58 percent above the national average) you’ll be spending much less overall.

On the plus side, Portland offers its residents a healthy and diverse job market. You can make your living in industries like tech, health, climate tech, and even outdoor apparel. Not to mention the variety of locally owned cafes, restaurants, breweries, wineries, and hotels that support the tourism industry, making it a hot spot for hospitality workers.

In general, you can expect to pay more for groceries, housing, and transportation. However, you don’t have to worry about paying sales tax, as shopping for everything from vintage goods to everyday necessities is tax-free. That’s a nice way to keep a little money in your pocket!

If you’re moving to Portland, Oregon, get ready to embrace an active lifestyle filled with everything from zen yoga mornings to bike rides and park hangs.
(Source: Cole Keister via Unsplash)

7. Pro: You Can Lead a Green and Active Lifestyle While Living in Portland

When you move to Portland, you have lots of opportunities to decrease your own carbon footprint. There are bike lanes and trails all over the city, and the public transportation is very well run. That’s not the only access to healthy living you’ll find, though. Most Portlanders have a sport or outdoor activity they’re passionate about, and you can find many groups and associations to meet other people who share similar interests. That’s why there’s always something active (and fun) to do on the weekends!

8. Con: Traffic in Portland Is Not Great — and It’s Getting Worse

Because of its popularity, Portland has seen an increase in traffic. It’s not quite at Los Angeles levels, but it’s still a frustrating issue when you’re trying to commute to and from work. Drivers sat in traffic for an average of nearly 14 minutes per six miles in 2024, according to analysis by GPS company TomTom. It makes perfect sense why lots of Portlanders opt to bike around instead, or hop on public transportation.

9. Pro: The Thriving Arts and Culture Scene Is One of the Best Parts of Living in Portland

After outdoor activities, one of the best parts of moving to Portland is the well known arts and cultural scene. Whether you like classical music, avant-garde art, local crafts, or dance troupes, you can find your niche in Portland.

10. Con: Portland Is Lacking in Diversity

While the LGBTQ+ community has been thriving, and is an integral part of making Portland the great city that it is, more than 70 percent of Portland residents are white. Although it’s improved over the years — and the city’s diversity grade on Niche is an A — if you’re moving to Portland, Oregon, from a more diverse place, you’ll notice it’s lacking in this area.

One of the best parts of moving to Portland, Oregon, is getting to explore so many great new neighborhoods, from St. Johns to Laurelhurst.

11. Pro: There Are So Many Great Places To Live Around Portland

Portland has many wonderful suburbs, but these are a few of our absolute favorites.

1. St. Johns, OR

Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,525
Average home value: $445,200
Great for: Outdoor activities, families, nightlife, young professionals, diversity

St. Johns is considered one of the best neighborhoods in the city of Portland, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. It’s only about 20 minutes outside downtown by car, and has everything you could need, including grocery stores, boutiques, antique stores, cafes, restaurants, and parks. This area has a small town-feel to it, and the residents are a tight-knit community that looks out for one another. Whether you enjoy the local markets, biking the trails, or simply hanging out in one of the many coffee shops, you’ll enjoy your time in St. Johns.

2. Laurelhurst, OR

Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
Average home value: $864,800
Great for: Public schools, families, outdoor activities

This Portland neighborhood has everything you might need in walking or biking distance, and you’ll always see people out and about enjoying the many green spaces, like Laurelhurst Park.

The homes are beautiful, there are great schools, and there are lots of tree-lined streets. Residents also take pride in making their community a welcoming place for all. Laurelhurst’s central location in Portland means it’s easy to get almost anywhere. Regardless of if you’re looking to get out of the city for the weekend, catch some live music, or try out a new restaurant, chances are you can bike or take public transportation to do it. If you’re looking for a friendly Portland community, you can’t go wrong with Laurelhurst.

3. Milwaukie, OR

Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,725
Average home value: $521,300
Great for: Health and fitness, outdoor activities, public schools, families

Though technically a suburb of Portland, Milwaukie is a great place to live if you’re looking for affordable Portland housing with a short commute to the city center. Milwaukie is only seven miles outside of the city limits, but it still has all the fun and flavor you expect from Portland. With beautiful views of Mt. Hood and Mount St. Helens, you’ll never have a problem getting outside of the city to enjoy these natural areas. Residents love the tree-lined streets, markets, coffee shops, breweries, and easy access to the Columbia and Willamette rivers for some fun on the water.

12. Con: There Is a Homelessness Crisis in Portland

Portland, like a lot of other large cities, has a homelessness crisis that hasn’t shown signs of abating. The city has been working to alleviate this problem, but it will take a concerted effort by a variety of organizations working together.

A lower cost of living than Seattle is one of the many perks of moving to Portland, Oregon.

13. Pro: If You’re Moving To Portland, Oregon, From Seattle, Prepare for a More Affordable and Friendlier Lifestyle.

While both Portland and Seattle are great cities, there are some key differences between them. Here are a few:

Portland is a more affordable city than Seattle, with a lower cost of living and less expensive housing.
Both crime rates are around the same, but Seattle’s overall numbers are slightly higher than Portland’s.
Although this is subjective, many people believe that Portland is a friendlier, more welcoming city than Seattle.
Portland has a lot of green spaces, including parks, natural areas, and state and national forests within driving distance. Seattle does have lots to offer nearby when it comes to the great outdoors (Mt. Rainier, etc.), but not so much in the city itself.

Portland Moving Options

No matter your reason for moving to Portland, Oregon, you have options for getting your stuff from point A to point B.

PODS Portable Storage Containers

This is a great option if you want a flexible move, don’t want to pay for expensive full-service movers, but also don’t want to drive a moving truck. Simply have a portable moving container delivered to your driveway for convenient packing and loading. (Bonus: PODS will refer you to local packing and loading services if you need a hand on moving day!) When you’re ready, your container will be picked up and delivered to your new home in Portland. If you need storage during your move, no problem! With built-in storage options, PODS has you covered.

DIY With a Rental Truck

You can also take the rental truck route for your move to Portland. While this might be less expensive upfront, it definitely takes more time to complete. You’ll need to box up all your items, load them onto the truck (Pro tip: Enlist friends and family to help), drive the truck to your new home, and then unload everything.

Looking for moving boxes? Check out these articles from the PODS Blog (or visit PODSboxes.com for moving supplies delivered to your door):

Full Service Movers

You can also choose to go with full service movers. They’ll ensure that all your items are carefully wrapped, loaded, and transported to your new Portland home — for a hefty fee. You might find that the extra expense is worth it, though. Make sure you spend time researching a few companies, and start looking at least three months in advance, since many moving companies are booked that far into the future.

Moving to Portland, Oregon, with PODS means a flexible move on your own schedule.

Let PODS Help With Your Move to Portland, Oregon

You can make your move to Portland a flexible move with PODS! Have a portable storage container delivered right to your driveway for convenient packing and loading. When you’re ready, your container will be picked up and transported to your new PDX home. Need more time? That’s fine! One month of storage is built into the cost of every PODS move.

(Source for image featured at top: Adam Blank via Unsplash)

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.