Oregon · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Multnomah County, OR

The median household in Multnomah County, OR earns $88,766 a year ($7,397/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,922/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $76,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.4% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$88,766$7,397 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,922HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)105.4+5.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential OR
Census Population801,477Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Multnomah County, OR

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,922Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$76,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,219At 30% of $88,766
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Multnomah County, OR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Multnomah County, OR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,570$18,840$62,80021.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,677$20,124$67,08022.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,922$23,064$76,88026%
3-Bedroom Home$2,619$31,428$104,76035.4%
4-Bedroom Home$3,109$37,308$124,36042%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Multnomah County, OR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Multnomah County, OR

Based on the local median household income of $88,766/year ($7,397/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,699/moRent ($1,922 2-BR), utilities (~$147/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,219/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 105.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,479/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Oregon

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Oregon state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$88,766
$35,000$180,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$88,766
Net 73%
Fed 12%
OR 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$65,068After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,422Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,503Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate26.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$10,699 / yr
Oregon state income tax$6,209 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,791 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Oregon with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Multnomah County, OR

What is the median household income in Multnomah County, OR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Multnomah County, OR is $88,766 per year (approximately $7,397 per month).

What is the average rent in Multnomah County, OR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Multnomah County, OR are $1,570 for a studio, $1,677 for 1 bedroom, $1,922 for 2 bedrooms, $2,619 for 3 bedrooms, and $3,109 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Multnomah County, OR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Multnomah County, OR is 105.4 (5.4% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Multnomah County, OR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,922/month) in Multnomah County, OR requires a minimum gross household income of $76,880 per year ($6,407 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Multnomah County, OR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $88,766/year ($7,397/month) in Multnomah County, OR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,699/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,219/month to discretionary spending, and $1,479/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Multnomah County, OR?

Residential electricity rates in Oregon average 16.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $147 per month.