Small city in San Patricio County, part of the Corpus Christi metro
Living in Portland, TX
40th of 192Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people
Overall score 81 of 100
1st of 15 in the Corpus Christi area
We give Portland an A-. It ranks 40th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on internet access and safety, and trails on home ownership and health. It is a strong pick for young professionals and remote workers.
- Good for young professionals
- Good for remote workers
- Hurricane risk is very high
- Heat wave risk is very high
- Population
- 20,833+1.9% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,57712% higher than Texas
- Median home value
- $234,80017% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $83,865Median
- Average commute
- 20 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 115Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Portland
Portland sits about 12 miles from downtown Corpus Christi, in the Corpus Christi metro. 20,833 people lived here in 2025, up 1.9% from 2020. It is spread out.
Places locals use include Indian Point Park, Portland Municipal Park and 13 Acre Park.
The median age is 34.7, 32% of households have children, 63% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $83,865 a year (7% higher than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Portland
- Low violent crime. 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 70% lower than the Texas rate.
- Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 20 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
Cons of living in Portland
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hurricanes and heat waves as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 113 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Portland suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for families.
- Young professionalsA strong fit: household income is 7% higher than the Texas median, with 78 restaurants and 5 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 89% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 19% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 72% for retirees.
- Remote workersA strong fit: 95% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,577 is 12% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 83% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,577 is 12% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for people on a budget.
Portland report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Portland with other US cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Cost of living: grade B-
Median rent $1,577, homes cost 2.8x income.
60 of 100 vs US citiesJobs and income: grade B-
Median household income $83,865, 3.2% unemployed.
63 of 100 vs US citiesSchools: grade B
6 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
67 of 100 vs TX citiesSafety: grade B
115 violent crimes per 100k, 932 property crimes per 100k.
71 of 100 vs TX citiesErrands and things to do: grade B
2 grocery stores, 78 restaurants, 19 parks mapped in town.
65 of 100 vs TX citiesGetting around: grade B-
Average commute 20 min, 9.1% work from home.
63 of 100 vs US citiesEducation levels: grade C-
26% have a bachelor’s degree.
37 of 100 vs US citiesHealth: grade D
19% of adults uninsured.
22 of 100 vs US citiesHome ownership: grade D
63% of homes owner-occupied.
22 of 100 vs US citiesInternet access: grade B+
95% of homes have broadband.
76 of 100 vs US cities
Where Portland stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Average commute: 20 min23% lower than Texas (27 min)
- Home value to income: 2.8x23% lower than Texas (3.6x)
- People below the poverty line: 9.0%5 points lower than Texas (14%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 26%8 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median rent: $1,57712% higher than Texas ($1,403)
- Vacant homes: 12%2 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
Cost of living in Portland
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Portland is $1,577 a month, 12% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $63,000 a year. Right now 52% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,176 for a one-bedroom, $1,421 for a two-bedroom and $1,855 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $234,800, 17% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,285 before tax, or $1,650 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.
Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are among the highest in the country. The median homeowner in Portland pays $4,376 a year, about the same as the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Portland
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent12% higher than Texas | $1,577 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value17% lower than Texas | $234,800 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income23% lower than Texas | 2.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rentAbout the same as Texas | 52% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year3% higher than Texas | $4,376 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in themAbout the same as Texas | 63% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1987 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,285
- Property tax
- $365
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,577
Based on a $234,800 home in Portland, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Portland safe?
In 2025, Portland Police Department reported 24 violent crimes and 194 property crimes. That works out to 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 932 property crimes per 100,000, 55% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 33% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Portland Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Portland
Portland has 6 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Gregory-Portland ISD.
Top-rated campuses include East Cliff Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 84 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- AEast Cliff ElementaryElementary, Gregory-Portland ISD90 of 100
- BClark ElementaryElementary, Gregory-Portland ISD87 of 100
- BEarly Childhood CenterOther, Gregory-Portland ISD82 of 100
- BGregory-Portland High SchoolHigh, Gregory-Portland ISD82 of 100
- BAndrews ElementaryElementary, Gregory-Portland ISD81 of 100
Daily life in Portland
Everyday places mapped inside Portland, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Indian Point Park, Portland Municipal Park, 13 Acre Park.
The average one-way commute is 20 minutes, 23% shorter than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Corpus Christi is about 12 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Portland work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $83,865, income per person is $38,453, unemployment is 3.2% and 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income7% higher than Texas | $83,865 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person6% lower than Texas | $38,453 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas | 3.2% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas | 9.0% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher8 points lower than Texas | 26% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points higher than Texas | 91% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points lower than Texas | 19% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet4 points higher than Texas | 95% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute23% lower than Texas | 20 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas | 9.1% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Portland
Median age 34.7 years. 32% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Portland
Portland has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 47°F. There are about 113 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 31 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Corpus Christi Nws, 14 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, coastal flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- Coastal floodingHigh
- HurricanesVery high
- TornadoesHigh
- HailHigh
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresLow
- Winter stormsModerate
- Strong windModerate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Portland
Nearby, Gregory gets a D+, Ingleside gets a D+ and Taft Southwest gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- D+GregoryTown, 2,003 people3 mi
- D+InglesideTown, 9,997 people7 mi
- FTaft SouthwestTown, 1,635 people8 mi
- FTaftTown, 2,871 people8 mi
- FAransas PassTown, 8,972 people10 mi
- D+Corpus ChristiCity, 317,419 people12 mi
Portland in the Corpus Christi area
How it ranks among 15 places in the metro.
- 1A-Portland20,543 people12 mito downtown
- 2B+Lamar1,202 people37 mito downtown
- 3BOdem2,102 people20 mito downtown
- 4BPort Aransas3,268 people18 mito downtown
Living in Portland: common questions
Is Portland, TX a good place to live?
We give Portland an A-. It ranks 40th of 192 Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people. It does best on internet access and safety, and trails on home ownership and health. It is a strong pick for young professionals and remote workers.
How much does it cost to live in Portland?
Median rent in Portland is $1,577 a month, 12% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $234,800, 17% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.8x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,650, including property tax.
Is Portland safe?
In 2025, Portland Police Department reported 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 932 per 100,000, 55% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Portland?
We found 6 rated public school campuses inside Portland. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 67 of 100 compared with other Texas cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Does Portland flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Portland as low, and coastal flooding as high. Hazards rated high or very high here: coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and hail. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Portland?
Summers in Portland peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 47°F. Expect around 113 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 31 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Portland?
The average one-way commute is 20 min, 23% lower than the Texas average. About 9.1% of workers work from home. It is about 12 miles from downtown Corpus Christi.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.