Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Portland, OR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 15% of gross income.
Portland rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Oregon cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Portland, OR?
Median rent in Portland is $1,723 a month. A typical pharmacist in Oregon earns about $138,060 a year, which makes that rent 15% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Oregon (~$138,060/yr) supports up to $3,452 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $1,723/mo, which leaves a $1,729/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $66 an hour, a pharmacist in Oregon works roughly 26 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $1,723.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a pharmacist?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Forest Grove ($1,722/mo), West Slope ($1,722/mo), Woodburn ($1,721/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.