CountyScore

Multnomah County

Oregon · OR

#36 in Oregon
57
County Score

County Report Card

About Multnomah County, Oregon

Portland's county beats national average

Multnomah County's composite score of 57.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the top 45% of U.S. counties despite being home to Portland's urban density and complexity. Even with significant livability trade-offs, the county remains above the national baseline.

Below Oregon average but urban asset

Multnomah's score of 57.0 falls slightly below Oregon's average of 66.6, reflecting the typical urban penalty in livability metrics. However, as the state's largest metropolitan county, it offers unmatched cultural, employment, and health resources.

Health and income opportunities lead

Multnomah shines with a health score of 74.1—the highest among these eight counties—and median household income of $86,247, reflecting strong earning potential and healthcare access. The county also posts a risk score of 1.5, indicating minimal natural disaster exposure.

Housing costs are the primary burden

A cost score of 48.7 reveals Multnomah's fundamental challenge: median home values of $528,000 and rent of $1,582/month create affordability strain. The tax score of 75.3 reflects Oregon's income taxes, adding to the overall cost of living.

Best for urban professionals seeking density

Multnomah County fits higher-earning professionals, families prioritizing urban amenities and healthcare, and those without strict budget constraints. If you value walkable neighborhoods, job diversity, and cultural access over affordability, Portland's county delivers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax75.3Cost48.7SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.7Risk1.5WaterComing Soon
🏛75.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠48.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Multnomah County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

San Bernardino County
California
57
Median income: $82,184
Rock Island County
Illinois
57
Median income: $66,768
Midland County
Texas
57
Median income: $93,984
Moore County
Texas
57
Median income: $61,325
McLean County
Illinois
56.9
Median income: $78,329

Deep Dives

Multnomah County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Multnomah County

via TaxByCounty

Multnomah's rate tops national median

At 0.959%, Multnomah County's effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.99%, placing it in the higher tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $5,061 is nearly double the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher rates and substantially higher home values.

Highest rate in Oregon

Multnomah's 0.959% effective rate is the highest among all Oregon counties, surpassing the state average of 0.775% by a significant margin. At $5,061 median property tax versus Oregon's $2,745 average, Multnomah residents carry substantially heavier tax burdens statewide.

Far steeper than regional counterparts

Multnomah's 0.959% rate dwarfs neighboring Clackamas and Washington counties' rates, reflecting Portland's urban density and higher property values. The median home in Multnomah ($528,000) costs nearly twice the regional average, amplifying the overall tax impact.

Median home generates $5,061 tax

With a median home value of $528,000 and Multnomah's 0.959% rate, typical homeowners pay $5,061 annually—among the nation's highest bills. Mortgage holders typically pay $4,965, while those without mortgages pay $5,370.

Appeals can yield substantial relief

In high-value markets like Multnomah, overassessment disputes can save thousands annually, making formal appeals particularly worthwhile. Property owners should review recent comparable sales to challenge assessments that exceed current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Multnomah County

via CostByCounty

Portland's housing crunch exceeds national average

Multnomah County's 22.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks above both the national and Oregon state averages, signaling serious affordability pressure in the Portland metro area. Despite a median household income of $86,247—higher than the national median of $74,755—renters here devote more earnings to housing than most Americans.

Oregon's priciest county for renters

At 22.0%, Multnomah County leads Oregon in rent-to-income burden, exceeding the state average of 19.4% by nearly 3 percentage points. The median rent of $1,582 towers over Oregon's $1,137 average, reflecting Portland's role as the state's housing cost epicenter.

Portland stands apart from surrounding counties

Multnomah's $1,582 median rent dwarfs nearby Polk County ($1,270) and Tillamook County ($1,169), making it Oregon's most expensive rental market. The rent-to-income gap widens further when comparing to eastern counties like Morrow (15.6%) and Wallowa (15.7%).

Portland's dual housing squeeze

Renters in Multnomah spend $1,582 monthly while homeowners face $2,012 mortgage costs, with the median home value reaching $528,000. Housing consumes 22% of household income for renters—a significant burden that limits financial flexibility.

Multnomah demands serious budget planning

Portland's urban amenities come at a real cost: renters here spend $445 more monthly than Oregon's average, with homeownership requiring $875 additional monthly spending. If affordability ranks high in your relocation criteria, Oregon's smaller counties offer dramatically better housing-to-income ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Multnomah County

via IncomeByCounty

Multnomah leads Oregon on income

Multnomah County's median household income of $86,247 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 15%, reflecting Portland's status as the state's economic engine. This substantial lead ranks Multnomah among the stronger income counties in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon's richest county by far

At $86,247, Multnomah County's median income surpasses Oregon's state average of $69,965 by nearly $16,300—the largest margin of any county in the state. Per-capita income of $52,354 nearly doubles the state average, driven by Portland's tech and professional service sectors.

Significantly outpaces nearby counties

Multnomah's $86,247 dramatically exceeds Polk County ($81,318), Tillamook County ($66,551), and Umatilla County ($68,958). This income advantage reflects Portland's concentration of high-wage employers in tech, healthcare, and finance—a gap unlikely to narrow in the near term.

High income meets high housing costs

Multnomah's rent-to-income ratio of 22% indicates that rising housing costs are outpacing wage growth; the median home value of $528,000 now requires substantial household earnings to afford. While residents earn well above national averages, housing affordability remains a persistent challenge compared to other Oregon counties.

Invest beyond Portland real estate

Multnomah's high incomes and tight housing market create an opportunity to diversify wealth-building strategies beyond real estate appreciation. A financial advisor can help develop a balanced portfolio mixing stocks, bonds, and tax-efficient accounts to build long-term security independent of local property values.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Multnomah County

via HealthByCounty

Exceeds national health benchmarks

Multnomah County's life expectancy of 77.8 years slightly trails the U.S. average of 78.3 years, but the county significantly outperforms nationally on self-reported health. Just 17.4% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 18%, reflecting stronger overall health outcomes.

Oregon's health leader

Multnomah County's 77.8-year life expectancy exceeds Oregon's state average of 77.0 years, and its 17.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's best. The county's urban density and robust healthcare infrastructure give residents a measurable health advantage statewide.

Urban advantage in regional context

Multnomah County's 77.8-year life expectancy substantially outpaces rural neighbors like Tillamook (75.2 years) and Umatilla (75.9 years) counties. The county's 17.4% poor/fair health rate also beats nearby Polk County's 18.8%, demonstrating the health benefits of Portland's metropolitan healthcare ecosystem.

Robust provider access in Portland

With 147 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly triple the state average—Multnomah County offers exceptional doctor availability. The 7.1% uninsured rate, below Oregon's 8.1% average, means most residents can access affordable care without financial barriers.

Ensure continuous health coverage

Even with Multnomah County's strong healthcare system, maintaining insurance is essential for preventive care and peace of mind. Review your coverage at Oregon Health Plan or Healthcare.gov to confirm you have the right plan for your health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Multnomah County

via RiskByCounty

Multnomah faces higher-than-average disaster risk

Multnomah County's composite risk score of 98.47 and Relatively High rating place it well above the U.S. average. The county confronts a diverse hazard landscape, with particularly acute earthquake (99.59) and flood (95.55) exposure.

Oregon's riskiest county by far

At 98.47, Multnomah County's composite score far exceeds Oregon's 63.43 state average, making it the state's highest-risk county. This reflects Portland's dense urban population, aging infrastructure, and proximity to major fault lines and river systems.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Multnomah's score of 98.47 dwarfs nearby Clackamas (lower risk), Yamhill, and Washington counties. The concentration of people, infrastructure, and hazard exposure in the Portland metro area drives these elevated figures.

Earthquakes and floods dominate Multnomah

Earthquake risk reaches 99.59—among the nation's highest—due to proximity to the Cascadia Subduction Zone and local faults. Flood risk scores 95.55, reflecting the Willamette and Columbia river systems and aging stormwater infrastructure throughout Portland.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Multnomah residents should carry earthquake insurance (often available as a rider for 10–15% of home value) and verify flood coverage, especially near river corridors and low-lying areas. Wildfire insurance riders also warrant consideration given wildfire risk of 67.30 and smoke exposure during fire season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.