Real Estate Investing in Portland, Oregon (97206)

Multnomah County • Population: 50,258 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 97206 (Portland, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.1% CAGR).

What’s happening in Portland, OR (97206)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $475,017
Avg Monthly Rent $1,808
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,995
% Renters 34.9%

Market Analysis: 97206 Portland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Portland's 97206 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $475K pricing implies.

The 97206 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

ZIP 97206's metrics run below Multnomah County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

A significant renter share of 35% in 97206 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Portland's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 97206. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 61/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,808/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 97206

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+2.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$122,097/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $333,698 $1,630 3.5% +1.0% $333,698
2BR $406,112 $1,870 3.3% +2.3% $203,056
3BR $468,542 $2,550 3.9% +2.4% $156,181
4BR $554,063 $3,020 3.9% +2.5% $138,516
5BR $610,485 +2.5% $122,097

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$531K$457K$383K$309K$235K$161KMay 2006May 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,894$1,748$1,603$1,458$1,312$1,167May 2016May 2021May 2026

📊 How Does 97206 Compare?

Metric 97206 Portland Oregon
Home Value $475,017 $523,055 $493,884
5-Year CAGR 1.1% 0.9% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,808 $1,755 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 2.5% -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 97206 (Portland, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Multnomah County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

AMS Association Management Services NW provides HOA Management Services. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Gateway Property Management offers residential property management services in Portland, OR. summary from their website

Single-family
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Grid Property Management is a Portland-based firm providing full-service management and leasing for residential and industrial properties. summary from their website

Single-familyCommercial
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.1%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $475,017
Monthly Rent $1,808
Price-to-Rent 21.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 4.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.1%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97206

Population: 50,258

💰 Median Household Income
$86,995
This area
$86,995
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.9%
This area
34.9%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.9%
This area
46.9%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.7 years
This area
38.7 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.5%
This area
4.5%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 76.6%
Other/Mixed 11.7%
Asian 9.7%
Hispanic/Latino 5.4%
Black/African American 2.1%
👶 Under 18
17.4%
This area
17.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.1%
This area
13.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 97206

A Avg School Grade
11 Schools
15.9:1 Avg Class Size
$26,919 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Lane Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
391 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Woodmere Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
248 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Atkinson Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
366 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Kellogg Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
677 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Marysville Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Woodstock Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
451 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Arleta Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
274 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Creston Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
238 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Lewis Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
297 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Whitman Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
180 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Franklin High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,811 Students
👨‍🏫
17.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
B
Reed College
1,458 students · 1.5 mi
B
Warner Pacific University
350 students · 1.7 mi
C
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
280 students · 1.7 mi
D
Western Seminary
770 students · 2.1 mi
C
Northwest College-Clackamas
31 students · 3.2 mi
C
Multnomah University
532 students · 3.3 mi
C+
Phagans School of Hair Design
203 students · 3.4 mi
C
American College of Healthcare Sciences
1,042 students · 3.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in Portland, OR a good investment right now?

Yes - Portland, OR a 2.0/5 investability score. With $475K home prices against $1,808/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Portland, OR?

Portland, OR sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader OR rental market.

What is the average monthly rent in Portland, OR?

Rental rates in Portland, OR average $1,808/mo. Tenant demand and $475K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How viable is house hacking in Portland, OR?

House hacking in Portland, OR is reasonable to execute. Prices around $475K and rents of $1,808/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What strategy should investors use in Portland, OR?

For Portland, OR, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

See what 97206 really looks like for investors

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