Oregon Residential Rent and Rental Statistics
The median monthly gross residential rent in Oregon was $1,185 in 2019 according to the Census ACS survey.1 Average gross rent was $1,182 in 2019. The median rent more accurately depicts rental rates in the middle of the distribution of rents and is thus preferred in the analysis below. 2020 Oregon median and average rent data will be released in September of 2021.
Data is also available below for Oregon rental vacancy rates, Oregon rent as a percent of median income and the fraction of renters in Oregon.
Real Gross Rent in Oregon (2019 dollars)2
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Median Gross Rent | $1,097 | +1.86% | +6.82% |
| Oregon Median Gross Rent | $1,185 | +3.04% | +11.48% |
Oregon Real Gross Rent Trends
At $1,185, real median gross rent in Oregon was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005. At $1,182, real average gross rent in Oregon was at its highest level in 2019 since the series began in 2005.
Real Gross Rent in Oregon: Median, Average, US Median
Real Gross Rent History for Oregon
| Date | US Median | Oregon Median | Oregon Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $1,097 | $1,185 | $1,182 |
| 2018 | $1,077 | $1,150 | $1,159 |
| 2017 | $1,043 | $1,113 | $1,132 |
| 2016 | $1,027 | $1,063 | $1,105 |
| 2015 | $1,017 | $1,000 | $1,034 |
| 2014 | $986 | $976 | $1,017 |
| 2013 | $953 | $934 | $981 |
| 2012 | $940 | $917 | $952 |
| 2011 | $941 | $907 | $944 |
| 2010 | $955 | $912 | $950 |
| 2009 | $960 | $933 | $966 |
| 2007 | $927 | $873 | $898 |
| 2005 | $910 | $861 | $885 |
Oregon Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate is the fraction of homes for rent that are not occupied.3 In 2019 the rental vacancy rate for Oregon was 4.00% according to Census ACS data.
Rental Vacancy Rate in Oregon
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 5.97% | -0.18% | +0.08% |
| Oregon | 4.00% | -0.35% | +0.83% |
Trends in Oregon Rental Vacancy Rate
The rental vacancy rate in Oregon peaked in 2005 at 6.39%. Since then it has fallen by 2.39% to 4.00%. Data records for this series originated in 2005. From a 2016 post peak low of 3.17%, the rental vacancy rate has increased by 0.83%.
Rental Vacancy Rate: Oregon, US
Historical Rental Vacancy Rate data for Oregon
| Date | US | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.97% | 4.00% |
| 2018 | 6.15% | 4.35% |
| 2017 | 6.18% | 3.80% |
| 2016 | 5.89% | 3.17% |
| 2015 | 5.85% | 3.64% |
| 2014 | 6.32% | 3.57% |
| 2013 | 6.49% | 4.45% |
| 2012 | 6.77% | 4.75% |
| 2011 | 7.40% | 5.06% |
| 2010 | 8.17% | 5.60% |
| 2009 | 8.43% | 6.30% |
| 2007 | 7.87% | 5.08% |
| 2005 | 7.74% | 6.39% |
Oregon Rent as a Fraction of Income
Using median household income data for Oregon, we can calculate the fraction of income the median household would use to pay rent at the median monthly gross rent rate. For Oregon, median monthly gross rent as a fraction of median household income was 21.21% in 2019 according to the ACS.
Oregon Median Annual Rent as a Fraction of Median Household Income
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 20.03% | -0.47% | -0.40% |
| Oregon | 21.21% | -0.17% | +0.03% |
Trends in Oregon Rent as a Fraction of Income
The fraction of median Oregon household income required to pay median monthly gross rent peaked in 2014 (relative to the 2005 series origin) at 21.71%. Since then it has fallen by 0.50% to 21.21%.
Fraction of Income towards Rent: Oregon, US
Historical Data for Annual Rent as a Fraction of Income in Oregon
| Date | US | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20.03% | 21.21% |
| 2018 | 20.50% | 21.38% |
| 2017 | 20.13% | 21.50% |
| 2016 | 20.43% | 21.17% |
| 2015 | 20.63% | 20.90% |
| 2014 | 20.89% | 21.71% |
| 2013 | 20.78% | 21.18% |
| 2012 | 20.65% | 21.04% |
| 2011 | 20.70% | 21.53% |
| 2010 | 20.50% | 21.03% |
| 2009 | 20.12% | 20.28% |
| 2007 | 18.66% | 18.30% |
| 2005 | 18.89% | 19.25% |
Renter Fraction in Oregon
You can calculate the renter fraction in Oregon in at least two ways: by housing units or by population. I've gone with the housing units measure here. This measure looks at the number of renting households in Oregon as a fraction of total Oregon households. In 2019 37.12% of households were renters according to Census ACS data.
Oregon Fraction of Renters by Household Units
| 2019 | 1 Year Change | 3 Year Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 35.89% | -0.16% | -0.99% |
| Oregon | 37.12% | -0.39% | -1.19% |
Trends in the Oregon Renter Fraction
The Oregon household renter fraction peaked in in 2014 at 39.28% and is now 2.16% below that level. The origin year for the series is 2005.
Fraction of Renting Households: Oregon, US
History of Oregon Renter Fraction
| Date | US | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 35.89% | 37.12% |
| 2018 | 36.05% | 37.51% |
| 2017 | 36.13% | 37.20% |
| 2016 | 36.88% | 38.31% |
| 2015 | 36.97% | 38.91% |
| 2014 | 36.90% | 39.28% |
| 2013 | 36.50% | 39.17% |
| 2012 | 36.09% | 38.44% |
| 2011 | 35.42% | 39.22% |
| 2010 | 34.65% | 37.45% |
| 2009 | 34.13% | 36.95% |
| 2007 | 32.80% | 35.41% |
| 2005 | 33.10% | 36.22% |
1. Gross rent is defined as contract rent plus the estimated average monthly cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, and sewer) and fuel (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.). Because some rentals include utilities and others don't, gross rent is a way of normalizing the variability. ↩
2. Real dollars are calculated using the CPI-U less shelter series. ↩
3. The rental vacancy rate is computed by dividing the number of vacant units for rent by the sum of the renter-occupied units, vacant units that are for rent, and vacant units that have been rented but not yet occupied. ↩
