The minimum wage in Portland is $15.45/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $23.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Portland.
The minimum wage in Portland is the Portland metro minimum of $15.45/hour. Portland sits inside the Portland metro urban growth boundary, where Oregon sets a higher regional minimum wage of $15.45/hour, above the standard statewide rate, indexed each July. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Portland. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,600/month and a cost-of-living index of 120 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Portland, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.45 | $32,136 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $23.00 | $47,840 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $45.50 | $94,640 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $19,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Multnomah County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Portland.
Portland is the largest city in Oregon, known for a strong outdoor and bicycle culture, with an economy spanning athletic and apparel brands (including Nike and Columbia nearby), semiconductors, clean technology, the Port of Portland, and a vibrant food and craft-beverage scene.
| Local Metric | Portland (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 640,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Multnomah County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 120 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $23.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $45.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.45/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,600/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,950/month |
| Median home price | $520,000 |
| Median household income | $85,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Portland is the Portland metro minimum of $15.45/hour. Portland sits inside the Portland metro urban growth boundary, where Oregon sets a higher regional minimum wage of $15.45/hour, above the standard statewide rate, indexed each July. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $32,136 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Multnomah County needs about $23.00/hour (roughly $47,840/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.55/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $45.50/hour.
At $15.45/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $32,136 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $24,102/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Portland is about $1,600/month, or $19,200/year.
Portland sits inside the Portland metro urban growth boundary, where Oregon sets a higher regional minimum wage of $15.45/hour, above the standard statewide rate, indexed each July.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Oregon sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor on a regional system, with a higher rate inside the Portland metro urban growth boundary, so the applicable regional rate applies in Portland.