Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Portland, OR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.6% of gross income.
Portland rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Oregon cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Portland, OR?
Median rent in Portland is $1,723 a month. A typical plumber in Oregon earns about $69,784 a year, which makes that rent 29.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Oregon (~$69,784/yr) supports up to $1,745 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $1,723/mo, which leaves a $22/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a plumber in Oregon works roughly 51.4 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $1,723.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a plumber?
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 plumber salary.