Portland ADU Rent Estimator (2026)

Portland ADU rents at a glance

Portland ADU rents median around $2.75 per square foot per month as of April 2026 — notably softer than the California metros but still 25% above Denver. A typical 600 sqft 1-bedroom detached ADU rents for $1,400–$1,900/month, with a midpoint near $1,650. An 800 sqft 2-bedroom clears $2,100–$2,700. Inner Southeast and Northwest carry a 10–15% premium; outer East Portland and parts of North Portland sit below the city median.

Long-term lease vs short-term rental in Portland

Portland is the only city in our 5-city set that legally permits short-term rental of a permitted ADU — but only if you pay the full System Development Charges (SDCs), roughly $12,000–$18,000 above what long-term-lease ADUs pay. The break-even threshold is steep: you typically need a $150+ ADR and 70%+ occupancy to outperform a $1,800/mo long-term tenant. For most landlords, the long-term route still wins on a risk-adjusted basis.

Top Portland neighborhoods by ADU rent

Highest per-sqft: inner Southeast (Hawthorne, Belmont, Buckman, Sunnyside, Richmond, Brooklyn), Northwest (Slabtown, Pearl District, Goose Hollow), and inner Northeast (Alberta Arts, Sabin, Irvington, Eliot). Mid-tier: Sellwood-Moreland, Mt Tabor, St Johns, Cully. Below median: outer East Portland (the 82nd Avenue corridor and points east), Lents, Centennial.

How condition and accessory features affect Portland ADU rent

Portland tenants strongly value energy-efficient new construction (heat pumps, mini splits, dual-pane windows) — the city's climate makes these meaningful comfort upgrades, not just nice-to-haves. New-construction ADUs earn the full 10% premium tracked by the estimator. Outdoor space, in-unit laundry, and a dedicated parking spot each add $50–$150/month to comparable units, with the parking premium falling fastest in transit-rich neighborhoods like Hawthorne and Alberta.