Real Estate Investing in Portland, Oregon (97212)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Multnomah County • Population: 27,573 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 97212 (Portland, OR)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.2% CAGR).
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Portland, OR (97212)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $795,187
Avg Monthly Rent $2,215
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $125,901
% Renters 33.1%

Market Analysis: 97212 Portland

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Portland's 97212 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $795K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 97212 can be a a credible choice for hunting ground — but the discount at $795K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Statewide comparisons place 97212 among OR's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 97212 ZIP's population of 27,573 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

New investors are better served looking at Portland's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 97212. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.95% as of Sep 17 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portland:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,215/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 97212

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+2.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$214,996/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $354,885 $1,840 3.7% -2.3% $354,885
2BR $529,222 $2,110 2.9% +1.3% $264,611
3BR $730,817 $2,880 2.8% +2.3% $243,606
4BR $880,646 $3,410 2.8% +2.8% $220,162
5BR $1,074,979 +2.9% $214,996

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$858K$762K$665K$568K$472K$375KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,466$2,262$2,059$1,855$1,652$1,448Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 97212 Compare?

Metric 97212 Portland Oregon
Home Value $795,187 $517,965 $493,884
5-Year CAGR 1.2% 0.1% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,215 $1,754 -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.6% -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 97212 (Portland, OR). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Multnomah County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

AMS Association Management Services NW provides HOA Management Services. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Gateway Property Management offers residential property management services in Portland, OR. summary from their website

Single-family
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Grid Property Management is a Portland-based firm providing full-service management and leasing for residential and industrial properties. summary from their website

Single-familyCommercial
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $795,187
Monthly Rent $2,215
Price-to-Rent 29.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 3.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +0.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 7.0%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (7.0%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 97212

Population: 27,573

💰 Median Household Income
$125,901
This area
$125,901
State
$71,325
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.1%
This area
33.1%
State
28.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
-6.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
71.7%
This area
71.7%
State
13.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.1 years
This area
41.1 years
State
31.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
17.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.4%
Other/Mixed 9.7%
Black/African American 6.3%
Hispanic/Latino 5.1%
Asian 4.4%
👶 Under 18
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 97212

A Avg School Grade
7 Schools
18.0:1 Avg Class Size
$26,919 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Irvington Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Beaumont Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
434 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Rose City Park

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
464 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Sabin Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
17.2:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Alameda Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
521 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A Very Good

Beverly Cleary School

📚 K – 08 School
👥
558 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
B Good

Grant High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,179 Students
👨‍🏫
21.3:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Boise-Eliot Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 620 N Fremont, Portland
👥
307 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4906 NE 6th Ave, Portland
👥
305 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Faubion Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 2930 NE Dekum St, Portland
👥
570 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Harriet Tubman Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 2231 N Flint, Portland
👥
321 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Roseway Heights School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 7334 NE Siskiyou St, Portland
👥
549 Students
👨‍🏫
14.1:1 Class Size
💰
$26,919 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
D
Carrington College-Portland
295 students · 1.0 mi
C
Beau Monde Academy of Barbering and Cosmetology
120 students · 1.0 mi
D
Concorde Career College-Portland
186 students · 1.2 mi
C
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
133 students · 1.9 mi
C
Pacific Northwest College of Art
524 students · 2.1 mi
C+
Portland Actors Conservatory
13 students · 2.3 mi
C
Aveda Institute-Portland
171 students · 2.4 mi
D
East West College of the Healing Arts
232 students · 2.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors worry about vacancy in Portland, OR?

Expect elevated vacancy in Portland, OR. Rents at $2,215/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What do landlords charge for rent in Portland, OR?

Rental rates in Portland, OR average $2,215/mo. Tenant demand and $795K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the best play in Portland, OR?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Portland, OR best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $795K price point.

How strict are landlord regulations in Portland, OR?

OR law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Portland inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Is Portland, OR a smart market for rental property?

Investors tracking Portland, OR will find a 2.0/5 rating supported by $795K median home values and $2,215/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

You know 97212 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 97212 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 97212 ranks in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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