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City Report · OR

Milwaukie

Pop. 21,392·30th most expensive in Oregon·Rental market data updated monthly for Milwaukie, OR
Median rent (all units)
$1,749/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.8%
Month-over-Month
+3.4%
vs US Median
-$213
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Milwaukie · $1,749
More affordable than 57% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
71/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Milwaukie's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,749/mo
Expected by trend
$1,956/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Milwaukie's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,530
1 BR
$1,650
2 BR
$1,880
3 BR
$2,580
4 BR+
$3,030
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,880/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,749 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,988/yr
At $1,749/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.8% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Milwaukie, OR is majority owner-occupied, 41.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,392
Median income
$86,892
Median age
41.3
Renters
39.2%
Age distribution
17.8%
20.2%
32.2%
18.2%
Under 1817.8%
18–3420.2%
35–5432.2%
55–6411.6%
65+18.2%
Gender
50.6%
49.4%
Male50.6%
Female49.4%
Race & ethnicity
80.2%
White80.2%
Black1.9%
Hispanic8.8%
Asian2.8%
Other6.3%
Education (25+)
19.2%
35.1%
41.5%
No HS diploma4.2%
HS diploma19.2%
Some college35.1%
Bachelor's+41.5%
Housing tenure
60.8%
39.2%
Owner60.8%
Renter39.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Milwaukie, OR has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,435 → $1,749
up 21.9%
Income
$73,351 → $86,892
up 18.5%
Population
21,108 → 21,392
up 1.3%
Renter share
41% → 39.2%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
38.7% → 41.5%
+2.8 pts
Median age
39.5 → 41.3
+1.8 yrs

The median rent in Milwaukie, OR stood at $1,435 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,749, reflecting a 21.9% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $73,351 to $86,892 across the same window, up 18.5% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.3% since 2021, moving from about 21,108 residents to roughly 21,392. Renters now make up 39.2% of households, compared with 41% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 41.5% of adults here, versus 38.7% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Milwaukie, OR look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Milwaukie rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Milwaukie on your salary?

At $1,749/mo, how Milwaukie rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Milwaukie rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Milwaukie. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Milwaukie

About renting in Milwaukie, OR

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Milwaukie is $1,749/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,530/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,650/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,580/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($86,892/yr), Milwaukie ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Milwaukie an affordable city for renters?

Milwaukie is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,749/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($86,892/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Milwaukie falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Milwaukie?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,749/mo in Milwaukie. The local median household income is $86,892/yr, meaning the typical Milwaukie household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Milwaukie?

Rent in Milwaukie has decreased 2.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Milwaukie rent compare to other cities in Oregon?

Milwaukie is middle-of-the-pack for Oregon for rent, ranking #30 out of 64 tracked cities at $1,749/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Milwaukie?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Milwaukie ($1,749/mo): Portland ($1,723/mo), Gladstone ($1,745/mo).

What percentage of Milwaukie residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Milwaukie households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Milwaukie leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Milwaukie rent compare to the national average?

Milwaukie's median rent of $1,749/mo is $213 (11%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Oregon, it ranks #30 out of 64 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,749/mo, rent takes ~24% of Milwaukie's median household income ($86,892/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Milwaukie 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.75–9.9%
Run the Milwaukie affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Milwaukie
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Milwaukie, OR

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