At $1,650/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,650 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($72,647) is $1,816 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,460); a 3-bedroom is $1,840.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Portland. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Portland, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Portland, TN has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $59,407 to $72,647 across the same window, up 22.3% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,031 to 13,449 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.2% change. About 33.3% of households rent today, against 39.2% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Portland on your salary?
At $1,650/mo, how Portland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Portland rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Portland. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Portland
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Portland is $1,650/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,270/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,300/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,840/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($72,647/yr), Portland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Portland?
Is rent going up or down in Portland?
How does Portland rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Portland?
At $1,650/mo, rent takes ~27% of Portland's median household income ($72,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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