Portland Climbs to 73rd in Real Estate Rankings

Portland rose seven places in the latest Urban Land Institute and PwC report on real estate prospects across 81 cities.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Residential

A tower crane over a partially built mid-rise, with a river, steel bridge, and low downtown skyline under overcast Pacific Northwest sky. — Portland rose seven places to 73rd of 81 cities in the Urban Land Institute and PwC real estate prospects report, as city leaders court investors. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think your local government's permitting and housing rules are helping your area's economy?

Portland rose seven places to rank 73 of 81 cities in the Urban Land Institute and PwC Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, after ranking 80 of 81 in the prior year. The city ranked 31st for homebuilding prospects, one place lower than in 2025.

Why it matters

The rankings reflect how investors view Portland's prospects amid local efforts to attract development. Respondents said growing jobs and incomes, along with permitting and zoning decisions, will shape whether the city draws investment back.

The rankings are based on a survey of industry professionals conducted by the Urban Land Institute and PwC, which ranks Portland 73rd overall and 31st for homebuilding prospects. The organization does not disclose precisely whom it surveys, leaving the respondent pool unconfirmed.

The players

Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit research and education organization focused on land use and real estate development.

PwC

PwC is a multinational professional services network that co-produces the Emerging Trends in Real Estate report with the Urban Land Institute.

Keith Wilson

Keith Wilson is the mayor of Portland, Oregon, who has made courting investors a priority.

Tina Kotek

Tina Kotek is the governor of Oregon, who has made courting investors a priority.

The details

Respondents said local governance, including permitting timelines, rent regulation, and conversion-friendly zoning, shapes whether growth translates into investment opportunity. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek have made courting investors a priority, and city officials have championed development fee waivers.

2010s: Portland's construction boom occurred, preceding its poor ranking in the prior year's report.
September 2025: Real estate leaders told politicians that growing jobs and incomes would draw investors back.
2025: Portland ranked 80 of 81 in the prior year's report.
Oct. 27, 2026: The latest Urban Land Institute and PwC report was released.

Market Landscape

Portland's 2010s construction boom preceded its 80th-place ranking in the 2025 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, and its seven-place rise in the latest edition marks a partial recovery in that annual series. The report's respondents identified power grid constraints, insurance costs, and advanced manufacturing as the factors now guiding investment decisions.

Investors and developers weighing Portland projects will be shaped by permitting timelines, rent regulation, and zoning rules that the survey respondents said determine whether growth becomes investment. Homebuyers and renters may see the effects through construction activity tied to those decisions.

The takeaway

Portland's ranking shows that investor sentiment can move quickly, but respondents tied any lasting recovery to job growth, rising incomes, and local permitting and zoning decisions. Readers following Portland housing should watch those factors rather than the rank alone.