January 31, 2023
Updated on July 1, 2026
Greater Portland is on the rise. Its thriving economy, highly educated workforce and attractive cost of living make it ideal for business expansion. The region's strategic location, strong transportation system and abundant natural resources make it an ideal place to call home. Here are 17 reasons to have your business move to Portland, Oregon.
1. Hot labor market
Greater Portland ranks as the fifth-hottest labor market in the country, according to ADP Research's analysis of 55 major U.S. metros based on pay growth, new-hire wages, and annual hiring rates. Median annual pay in the Portland metro grew 5.8%, outperforming 96% of metros analyzed.
2. Educated workforce
The Portland region has a highly skilled and educated workforce, with more than 44% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
3. Tax advantages
Greater Portland straddles two states, each with unique tax advantages. Oregon has no sales tax and low corporate income taxes for businesses that sell most of their products outside Oregon. Washington does not have a personal or corporate income tax.
4. Access to talent
Sixty-six universities, colleges and satellite campuses are located within 100 miles of Greater Portland, providing businesses with a steady pipeline of talent.
5. Sustainable region
Sustainability, eco-friendliness and citizen-focused infrastructure factored into Portland’s ranking as the second most future-focused city in the U.S. by Financebuzz in 2024.
6. Active outdoor culture
Portland is the best city for biking in the U.S., and 89% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, giving residents and employees easy access to outdoor recreation.
7. Top food city
Portland is consistently ranked as a top city for foodies, a No. 1 city for coffee lovers, and one of the best cities for food in the world.
8. Research & development hub
Engineers at Intel's R&D operations in Hillsboro create the computer chips that are replicated all over the world. Oregon is home to 9% of the nation's semiconductor workforce, despite having just 1.3% of the U.S. population, and is the only U.S. location with the High-NA EUV tool needed to produce the most advanced chips.
9. Top-ranked West Coast city
Portland ranks the No. 4 best place to live on the West Coast, according to U.S. News & World Report, ahead of San Diego, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
10. Top-ranked airport
Portland International Airport ranked No. 2 in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards reader survey and has been inducted into the magazine's Hall of Fame for its consistent high rankings over the years.
11. Premier shipping access
Greater Portland is home to four ports, including deep-water ports in Portland and Vancouver, which handle 30+ million tons of cargo a year.
12. Strong transportation system
The metro area has an extensive transportation system, including a close-in international airport, light rail and bus service.
13. Lowest energy costs
Portland offers some of the lowest energy costs in the nation for power users of all sizes.
14. Inclusive economy
The Brookings Institution's 2026 Metro Monitor ranks Greater Portland in the top third of large U.S. metro areas for economic inclusion, citing strong gains in middle-class earnings over the past decade.
15. Culture of creativity
Oregon consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for patents filed per capita, driven in large part by innovation from existing businesses like Intel, Nike, and Lattice Semiconductor in Greater Portland.
16. Hotbed for food innovation
Greater Portland’s food and beverage industry employment is nearly twice the national average. Our region is home to beloved brands such as Bob's Red Mill, Tillamook Dairy Co-Op, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Aviation Gin and Salt & Straw.
17. High earning potential
Greater Portland residents enjoy strong earning power to match the region's quality of life, with an average household income of approximately $131,000 in 2025, and nearly half of residents earning over $100,000 annually.
Are you interested in moving or expanding your business to Portland? We offer no-cost, confidential relocation and expansion services. Contact our team of economic development experts today to learn more.