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City Report · TN

Portland

Pop. 13,449·36th most expensive in Tennessee·Rental market data updated monthly for Portland, TN
Median rent (all units)
$1,600/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-5.8%
vs US Median
-$362
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Portland · $1,600
More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,600/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/yr
Local median income
$72,647/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Portland's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,270
1 BR
$1,300
2 BR
$1,460
3 BR
$1,840
4 BR+
$2,240
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,460/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,600 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
$19,200/yr
At $1,600/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
13,449
Median income
$72,647
Median age
34.8
Renters
33.3%
Age distribution
26.8%
23.4%
27%
12.2%
Under 1826.8%
18–3423.4%
35–5427%
55–6410.6%
65+12.2%
Gender
52.5%
47.5%
Male52.5%
Female47.5%
Race & ethnicity
91.2%
White91.2%
Black2.4%
Hispanic4.5%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
40.4%
32.9%
15.1%
No HS diploma11.6%
HS diploma40.4%
Some college32.9%
Bachelor's+15.1%
Housing tenure
66.7%
33.3%
Owner66.7%
Renter33.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Portland, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,407 → $72,647
up 22.3%
Population
13,031 → 13,449
up 3.2%
Renter share
39.2% → 33.3%
-5.9 pts
Bachelor's+
13.6% → 15.1%
+1.5 pts
Median age
33.3 → 34.8
+1.5 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Portland

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

Can you afford rent in Portland on your salary?

At $1,600/mo, how Portland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Portland rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Portland

About renting in Portland, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Portland is $1,600/mo as of August 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 26% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Portland an affordable city for renters?

Portland is considered affordable for renters. At $1,600/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($72,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Portland falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Portland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,600/mo in Portland. The local median household income is $72,647/yr, meaning the typical Portland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Portland?

Rent in Portland has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Portland rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Portland is middle-of-the-pack for Tennessee for rent, ranking #36 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,600/mo.

What percentage of Portland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.3% of Portland households are renters, while 66.7% are owner-occupied. Portland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Portland rent compare to the national average?

Portland's median rent of $1,600/mo is $362 (18%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #36 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,600/mo, rent takes ~26% of Portland's median household income ($72,647/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Portland 26%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Portland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Portland, TN

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