Data: 13% of Vancouver-Portland homes less than half-mile from bus, rail stop

Thirteen percent of Vancouver-Portland homes are located less than half a mile from a bus or rail stop, according to new data.

On Thursday, the research firm Urban Institute released a report on the convenience of transit across metropolitan areas. The Vancouver-Portland metro area ranked 11th in the nation for the number of transit options per capita, measured in miles. At 20.3, it ranked second in Washington behind the Seattle-Tacoma metro area.

The growing housing crisis spurred the study. As the Vancouver-Portland metro area and other regions face housing shortages and skyrocketing prices, leaders have turned to transit-oriented developments as a solution, according to an Urban Institute report. An April Urban Institute report found that close to half of U.S. households cannot afford basic necessities. The Thursday report suggests that transit-oriented development is one way to help reduce household living expenses, specifically for lower-income residents.

The Urban Institute data showed that in the Vancouver-Portland area, 14 percent of housing growth between 1980 and 2022 was within half a mile of rail stations — slightly higher than in the Seattle-Tacoma area (13 percent).

“Transit-oriented development is a valuable tool that helps communities concentrate homes, offices, public services, and recreation in walkable, mixed-use areas with access to frequent, reliable, and fast public transportation,” the report said.

The report showed that in Washington, more than 58,000 affordable housing units are within half a mile of frequent transit lines. For housing units in general, about 595,000 are within half a mile of frequent transit lines.

The report indicates that in some American metro areas, living near transit can drive up home prices. Yet, as Clark County residents debate light rail planned for a replacement Interstate 5 Bridge, the data shows that proximity to light rail has made homes slightly cheaper in the region historically.

According to the data, the median home price in Vancouver-Portland is roughly $594,000. Near frequent bus or rail lines, the median home price is $588,000. Near lines like the proposed light rail, the median cost is $570,000.