Is Multnomah County, OR good for real estate investing?

Multnomah County has an investment score of 38/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #727 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Multnomah?

The rent-to-price ratio in Multnomah County is 3.97% annually, which ranks in the 6th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Multnomah?

The median home price in Multnomah County is $509,951. This ranks #915 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Multnomah?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Multnomah County would generate negative cash flow of $1,577/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Multnomah County

OregonPopulation: 808,098

/100

Avoid

#727 of 1,000 counties

#30 in Oregon (36 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated June 1, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$509,951

Median Home Price

118% above national median

$1,688/mo

Median Rent

12% above national median

3.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 94% nationally

-$1,577

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,688/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$382,464	-$908/mo	3.4%	-12.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$509,951	-$1,577/mo	2.6%	-16.1%
125% of median newer / premium	$637,439	-$2,245/mo	2.1%	-18.4%

Price History

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$509,951

Down Payment (20%)$101,990

Loan Amount$407,961

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,688

Monthly P&I-$2,673

Est. Expenses (35%)-$591

Net Cash Flow-$1,577/mo

2.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-16.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.6% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

38/100

Cash Flow(30%)

30/100

Based on 3.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

46/100

Based on -0.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

27/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (3.97%)
-Declining home values (-0.9% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,577/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 2.6% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

808,098

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
BentonOR	40	$548,593	$1,811	3.96%	Avoid	View
TillamookOR	40	$503,130	$1,948	4.64%	Avoid	View
CurrentMultnomahOR	38	$509,951	$1,688	3.97%	Avoid
ClatsopOR	38	$505,919	$1,748	4.15%	Avoid	View
CurryOR	38	$446,573	Est. pending	—	Avoid	View
Hood RiverOR	36	$670,312	$2,166	3.88%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidMultnomah may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Multnomah County in Oregon scores 38/100, ranking #727 of 1,000 US counties (top 96%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1577/month; the 3.97% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,577/mo

Cap Rate

2.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-16.1%

Related markets

Markets like Multnomah with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Multnomah

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Oregon →

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Multnomah?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Scenario comparison

Same $1,688/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$382,464	-$908/mo	3.4%	-12.4%
Median typical MLS deal	$509,951	-$1,577/mo	2.6%	-16.1%
125% of median newer / premium	$637,439	-$2,245/mo	2.1%	-18.4%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$509,951

Down Payment (20%)$101,990

Loan Amount$407,961

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,688

Monthly P&I-$2,673

Est. Expenses (35%)-$591

Net Cash Flow-$1,577/mo

2.6%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-16.1%

Cash-on-Cash Return

3.97%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 2.6% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

38/100

Cash Flow(30%)

30/100

Based on 3.97% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

46/100

Based on -0.9% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

27/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

County

Verdict

BentonOR

$548,593

$1,811

3.96%

Avoid

View

TillamookOR

$503,130

$1,948

4.64%

Avoid

View

CurrentMultnomahOR

$509,951

$1,688

3.97%

Avoid

ClatsopOR

$505,919

$1,748

4.15%

Avoid

View

CurryOR

$446,573

Est. pending

—

Avoid

View

Hood RiverOR

$670,312

$2,166

3.88%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidMultnomah may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,577/mo

Cap Rate

2.6%

Cash-on-Cash

-16.1%