Portlanders’ biggest complaint with their city? It’s too expensive.

That’s according to a new survey by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, a nonpartisan research organization. A May poll found that, when asked what aspect of the city they were most dissatisfied with, affordability rose to the top – with nearly 70% of residents expressing unhappiness with “cost of living.” Those surveyed also expressed high rates of dissatisfaction with opportunities to find work and start a business in Portland.

These rates were higher among people with lower incomes, individuals with fewer years of education, and people of color.

“We are falling short of expectations that people have for our city, especially for the most vulnerable people,” said Amaury Vogel, executive director of the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center.

The survey of 1,190 Portlanders was conducted between May 2 and 20, and it has a 2.8% margin of error.

The survey also asked about the quality of city services. Those ranked poorest were those impacting the city’s more vulnerable and low-income residents: affordable housing, homeless shelters and emergency mental health services.

Portland’s affordability issues come as no surprise. A 2022 report by the Portland Metro Chamber, the powerful business lobby, found that Portland’s median household income is the second lowest among peer cities. It also identified the city’s cost of housing, childcare, and taxes as being higher than its peers.

While the poll reflected a decrease in satisfaction with affordability and job opportunities compared to the organization’s 2024 survey, the results aren’t all negative. The survey found a 6% increase in residents’ overall satisfaction with Portland compared to last year.

Portlanders overwhelmingly reported satisfaction with the city’s outdoor and natural areas, with a nearly 80% approval rating. Those polled also expressed high rates of satisfaction with the city’s shops and restaurants, as well as arts and cultural offerings.

Just over 60% of respondents also praised the quality of city parks, community centers, and cultural events. People also indicated fire and paramedic services, streets, transportation, and environmental protection programs are getting better.

The survey drops the same day Portland City Council is scheduled to vote to adopt its budget. That spending package includes new investments in shelter, alongside cuts to parks and transportation programs.

The report also comes a month before the city’s deadline to refer a measure to the November ballot to renew or expand its parks levy. Much of the parks budget relies on the city doubling the rate of the levy. If councilors don’t ask voters to expand the levy, the city resource identified by this poll – and several others – as residents’ top priority could be greatly diminished. Councilors are expected to decide on the levy rate in the coming weeks.

Vogel said she sees this data countering the narrative coming from the Portland Metro Chamber that the city is entering a so-called “doom loop” due to its economic decline.

“Despite all of that,” Vogel said, “People are holding on to hope that Portland is going to move forward.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/18/portland-dissatisfied-city-affordability-cost-living-survey/