A gem of the Pacific Northwest, these Portland neighborhoods will put you in a position to embrace all the city has to offer.
While some say Portland is a weird city with unusual people, residents don’t mind these descriptions. They embrace the weird and they have fun doing it, while at the same time, managing to keep the vibe totally low-key! That’s one of the things that makes living in Portland so wonderful.
In addition to the colorful people in the city, Portland is known for its plentiful green spaces. You’re living in a city, but you get the peace of knowing that trees and grass and all the beauty that Mother Nature has to offer abounds around you.
And let’s not forget about the food. The food in Portland is so good that people come here on vacation solely for a taste of the city’s delicacies.
One of the drawbacks of the city is the higher-than-average cost of living. However, that’s not to say that if you’re on a budget, you can’t live in your dream city. We’ve compiled a list of the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland, and the rental costs just might surprise you.
What is the average rent in Portland?
The average monthly rental fee in Portland is $1,795. In the past 12 months, the cost of rent has increased (on average) approximately 6 percent. Portland has recently been one of the top 10 cities with the highest rental increases in the past 12 months.
The 10 most affordable neighborhoods in Portland
Are you ready to start a new chapter in Portland? If so, check out our list of the 10 cheapest neighborhoods in Portland to find a community that fits your budgetary needs.
10. Hawthorne District
Source: Rent.com/The Fifty at Division
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,359
- Rent change since 2021: -11.88%
Located in Southeast Portland is the Hawthorne District. According to some people, the Hawthorne District is not a neighborhood but rather an area within two neighborhoods – Richmond and Mt. Tabor. However, others view this area as a neighborhood in its own right with a unique personality and charm that make it a desirable place to find an apartment for rent.
Hawthorne Boulevard is one of the must-visit destinations of Portland because it’s full of some of the best shops and eateries in the city. And because there are so many visitors, shoppers and eaters, we can guarantee that Hawthorne Boulevard is perfect for people-watching.
The neighborhood is full of coffee shops, restaurants, sweet shops, bars and more, making it a foodie’s paradise. There’s also plenty to do, like go out to the movies with friends or your partner to the Cinemagic theater. Built in the 1940s, this theater still has its original charm and shows fantastic classic films.
9. Buckman
- Average 2-BR rent: $2,359
- Rent change since 2021: -12.80%
Though Buckman ranks higher on our list of the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland, we think this community deserves special consideration. The reason for this is that Buckman had the most significant decrease in rental costs over the previous year of all the Portland neighborhoods we reviewed.
Most of the residents in the area are young professionals who rent their homes and commute to Portland, which is just under two miles away. Because Portland is so close, you’ll have easy access to the city’s great restaurants, entertainment, shopping and employment opportunities.
Residents love the area’s industrial feel and appreciate that the neighborhood doesn’t have a bunch of cookie-cutter houses. They also like the amazing street art, the level of safety in the community and the fact that there are plenty of green spaces.
8. Lair Hill
Source: Rent.com/Crestwood Court
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,997
- Rent change since 2021: +2.96%
Are you looking for a neighborhood with lots of lush greenery and privacy? That’s precisely what you’ll get when you find an apartment for rent in the Lair Hill community.
The cozy, residential neighborhood doesn’t have a lot in the way of nighttime entertainment, but it has some lovely coffee shops, stores and restaurants with beer on tap and great places to stop and grab a bite to eat.
And if you’re looking for some fun in the way of posh shopping experiences, fine dining or bars, clubs and live entertainment, Downtown Portland is less than three miles away.
Lair Hill is pet-friendly, and the neighbors are kind and take the time to get to know you. The community is great for walkers and bikers, with nice sidewalks and good lighting.
7. Arbor Lodge
Source: Rent.com/1415 N. Dekum St.
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,920
- Rent change since 2021: +1.23%
Another one of the cheapest places to live in Portland is the Arbor Lodge neighborhood. Residents like it for its historic homes, quaint shops and coffee houses. People who live here say it’s ideal for walking and bike riding. You can see people jogging or taking their pets and/or babies out for a stroll. Plus, it has incredible views of Mount Hood and Downtown Portland.
Residents in Arbor Lodge say one of the reasons they love living here is the small-town feel. Neighbors get to know one another and care about and help each other whenever they can. People have worked hard to make their community safe and beautiful by putting a lot of money into restoring individual houses and the neighborhood as a whole.
Another perk of living in one of the cute apartments for rent in Arbor Lodge is that the MAX light rail runs through the neighborhood, making your commute faster and easier!
6. Argay
Source: Rent.com/Castlegate
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,702
- Rent change since 2021: +24.46%
About 11.5 miles NW of Portland is the suburb of Argay, one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Portland. Many families live in the area, and the schools here are average-to-above-average.
Residents appreciate the proximity of their neighborhood to the airport and grocery stores, which are a mix of mom-and-pop shops and bigger chain stores. The chain stores tend to have lower prices, while the mom-and-pop stores have a wider selection and familiar employees. The area has some nice restaurants, too. Though, if you’re looking for a variety of cuisines, you’re going to have to drive into Portland.
Neighbors in Argay aren’t overly social, so you don’t have to worry about nosey people getting into your business. That said, people in the neighborhood are friendly and kindly welcome new residents.
5. Southgate
Source: Rent.com/Sunnyside Park Apartments
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,651
- Rent change since 2021: +27.60%
If you want to move to one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland that’s easily walkable, you need to check out the apartments for rent in Southgate. Locals love that you can walk to shopping centers, coffee shops, banks, gyms and restaurants. Interestingly, the walkability score in Southgate is lower than the bike score (67 and 74, respectively). Most residents say the area is safe enough to run errands on your bike or take a nice ride to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Additionally, there are several lovely walking trails for you to walk your dog, get a workout or just enjoy what nature has to offer.
Residents also love the affordability of the community, as well as the fact that most commutes are under 30 minutes.
4. East Portland
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,514
- Rent change since 2021: +14.65%
East Portland is five minutes across the river from the Downtown area and it’s one of the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland. The community is a mix of residential housing and commercial buildings, as well as some affordable housing options and apartments for rent throughout the area. In addition to residential and commercial properties, you’ll also find plenty of farmland, too.
Residents love the personality of the neighborhood, with its quirky shops, food carts and farmer’s markets.
You’ll find that the area’s walkability depends on which part of East Portland you choose to live. Thankfully, public transit in the area is good, with buses, MAX and streetcars. However, most East Portland residents have access to a vehicle they use much of the time to get around. The average commute is approximately 25 minutes.
3. St. Johns
Source: Rent.com/9840 N. Lombard St.
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,302
- Rent change since 2021: +3.32%
When you’re looking for an apartment in Portland, be sure to check out St. Johns, one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Portland. Though the community is over 10 miles away from Downtown Portland, you’ll still have access to great local bars, pubs and coffee shops. There are a few restaurants here that have delectable menus, though you’ll have to head into Portland if you want to vary your culinary routine a bit. Stores – including grocery stores – are within a five-minute drive for most area residents.
Residents love the quiet of this quaint suburb and say it’s a safe neighborhood. They love the community spirit and the fact that there are several locally-owned shops. It always feels good to support your neighbors and put money back into the community!
2. Montavilla
Source: Rent.com/1347 SE 84th Ave.
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,279
- Rent change since 2021: +0.35%
If you’re a fan of mature neighborhoods with historic homes, be sure to check out apartments in Montavilla. Located on the east side of Mount Tabor, Montavilla is a hidden gem with a nice mix of residential areas and businesses.
The area has a very relaxed vibe, and some describe it as a “Sunday kind of neighborhood.” Downtown is only six and a half miles across the river. And some neighborhoods within a similar distance need to travel into the city to get access to great food. But foodies will be happy to know that you don’t have to go far to enjoy delicious foods, beverages and treats. Locals love that they have access to a farmer’s market, bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream shops and restaurants within their own community.
Another perk of living in this neighborhood is that it’s bike-friendly. There are bike routes throughout the area that can take you just about anywhere, including a hilly ride through Mount Tabor.
1. West Portland Park
Source: Rent.com/Jannewood West
- Average 2-BR rent: $1,209
- Rent change since 2021: +2.24%
The absolute cheapest neighborhood in Portland (as of January 2022) is West Portland Park. Considered one of the best neighborhoods in the city, West Portland Park consists mainly of young families and professionals who travel into the city for work. It’s southwest of Portland, and the commute to the Downtown area can take up to 30 minutes for most residents.
The walkability and bike scores hover around the 70 mark, making this a great neighborhood for those who love to run errands on foot or can’t pass up an opportunity to peruse the area on a bike.
Despite its proximity to Downtown, this area is quiet and low-key. Beautiful, mature trees, fantastic mountain views and several parks surround the neighborhood. Finding an apartment to rent in West Portland Park is a must if you’re a nature lover!
The most expensive neighborhood in Portland
Just how affordable are the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland? To get a good idea of the amount of money you can save by looking for apartments in the cheapest places to live in Portland, let’s look at the most expensive community.
In the Pearl District, near Nob Hill and north of Downtown Portland, rentals cost $3,613 on average per month – nearly $1,500 more per month than the city’s average.
The good news about rental costs in the Pearl neighborhood is that they fell by 4.88 percent over the past year.
Find an affordable neighborhood for your next apartment
Once you’ve found the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland that fit your personality and budgetary needs, the next step is to find an apartment. Use our search feature to find apartments for rent in Portland that not only fit your budget but also fit your needs in terms of space, location and amenities.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of January 2022. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets. The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com