What's "affordable" in the region?

Financially Attainable Housing based on Median Family Income for the Portland Region ($96,900 for a family of four), 2021

This graphic shows that a household that earns the median household income for the Portland Region ($96,900 for a family of four) can afford monthly housing costs of about $2,420 or a home priced up to about $390,000.

However, 72% of Milwaukie’s households have income below the Regional median.

Number and percent of Milwaukie Households by Income Grouping, 2021

Source: US Department of HUD. US Census Bureau, 2015-2019 ACS Table 19001.

This graphic shows that about 39% of Milwaukie’s households have incomes below $48,450 and can afford $1,200 or less in monthly rent, which is below the average asking rents in Milwaukie. Private housing developers generally cannot build housing affordable to households in these income groups because the rents are too low to pay for the cost of development. Newly built housing for households with these incomes is generally income-restricted affordable housing, built with government subsidy.

About 22% of Milwaukie households have incomes between $48,000 and $78,000. Private housing developers also struggle to build housing affordable to households in this income group because the rents are too low to pay for the cost of development. Newly built housing for households in this income group is less commonly built and generally has some form of government subsidy to make development financially feasible.

About 21% of Milwaukie’s households have incomes between $78,000 and $116,000 and 19% have incomes above $116,000. These households can afford rental housing in Milwaukie, and some can afford the cost of homeownership (generally households with incomes above $116,000). Private housing developers can build most types of housing affordable to these income groups without government subsidy.