Out of 149 U.S. metropolitan areas, Portland ranked second for livability in a barometer by RentCafe.com, an apartment search website. Washington, D.C., topped the list.
The rankings evaluated metro areas with populations of at least 300,000 across 17 metrics, including cost of living, health care access and community feel, grouped into three categories: location and community, quality of life and socioeconomic status.
While the city of Portland has a population of around 68,000, the Portland–South Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area totals more than 563,000. Researchers highlighted the region’s access to a large number of membership associations, local farmers’ markets, top universities and a robust network of health care providers.
“Although the cost of living here exceeds the national average, Portland’s steady job market, income gains and low unemployment rate make it appealing to renters looking for stability,” according to the report.
“But, it’s not just a spot where you can work hard,” the authors noted. “The metro area also stands out for its rich food scene, with 230 restaurants per 10,000 residents, an
Portland also ranked No. 2 for location and community and No. 5 for quality of life. Below is the full top 10 list published by RentCafe.com.
Top 10 list
1-Washington, D.C.
2-Portland, Maine
3-Kansas City, MO
4-Des Moines, IA
5-Ann Arbor, MI
6-Albany, NY
7-Columbus, OH
8-Asheville, NC
9-Harrisburg, PA
10–Boise, ID
