Humboldt Homes for Sale | Portland, OR Neighborhood Guide

Humboldt

Average Sales Price

$773,042

Total Listings

Humboldt is a tightly drawn inner Northeast Portland neighborhood bounded by N Killingsworth, N Skidmore, N Mississippi, and NE MLK Jr Boulevard. Housing is predominantly pre-1930 Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, and Old Portland cottages on 3,500 to 5,000 square foot lots, with walking access to both the Alberta and Mississippi commercial corridors.

LISTINGS

$849,900

3 Beds1.1 Baths3,026 SqFt

5015 NE CLEVELAND AVE, Portland, OR 97211

Listed by Living Room Realty
$1,049,000

7 Beds4 Baths2,876 SqFt

650 N ALBERTA ST, Portland, OR 97217

Listed by Urban Nest Realty
$1,099,000

4 Beds3.2 Baths2,956 SqFt

4750 N KERBY AVE, Portland, OR 97217

Listed by John L. Scott
$550,000

3 Beds1 Bath2,206 SqFt

71 NE ALBERTA ST, Portland, OR 97211

Listed by Redfin
$450,000

2 Beds1 Bath1,542 SqFt

5224 N MARYLAND AVE, Portland, OR 97217

Listed by Paris Group Realty LLC
$299,000

2 Beds1 Bath913 SqFt

5425 N MINNESOTA AVE #6, Portland, OR 97217

Listed by MORE Realty

MORE LISTINGS

RECENTLY SOLD

$212,000

$220,000 3.6%

4515 N ALBINA AVE, Portland, OR 97217

1 Bed1 Bath639 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Kelly Right Real Estate of Portland, LLC

$312,000

$325,000 4.0%

825 N BLANDENA ST, Portland, OR 97217

2 Beds1 Bath1,828 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Kelly Right Real Estate of Portland, LLC

$425,000

5415 NE GARFIELD AVE, Portland, OR 97211

2 Beds1 Bath2,246 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty

MORE LISTINGS

Northeast Portland Neighborhood Guide

Living in Humboldt

A compact inner Northeast grid of early 1900s bungalows, walking distance to both the Alberta Arts District and North Mississippi Avenue corridors.

Updated April 2026 by Joe Saling

Neighborhood Overview

What Humboldt Is Really Like

Humboldt is a tightly drawn inner Northeast Portland neighborhood bounded by N Killingsworth on the north, N Skidmore on the south, N Mississippi on the west, and NE MLK Jr Boulevard on the east. The geography is flat and gridded, roughly one mile south of the Columbia Slough and a mile and a half from the Willamette River. The housing fabric is almost entirely pre-1930, with minor mid-century and recent infill. Humboldt sits within walking distance of two of Portland's most-used commercial corridors: NE Alberta to the north and N Mississippi to the west.

Weekday mornings in Humboldt are low-key on the interior streets and busier along N Mississippi and NE MLK, where car and bus traffic picks up. By midday you hear yard work, cyclists on the Michigan bike boulevard, and steady foot traffic between homes and the nearby coffee shops. Weekend afternoons pull residents out to Peninsula Park a few blocks north, to Alberta Street's shops and taprooms, or south toward Mississippi for dinner and live music. Back on the residential blocks, it stays calmer than either adjacent corridor.

Daily life here leans on walking and short bike rides. Residents pick up groceries at the New Seasons on NE Fremont or the Market of Choice on North Williams, grab coffee at one of a dozen shops within a mile, and use the N Williams and N Vancouver bike lanes to get downtown in under 15 minutes by bike. Remote workers have multiple cafe options within a short walk, and the commercial corridors mean most errands are handled on foot.

Looking for broader context on the area? Read my full Northeast Portland relocation guide for how Humboldt fits into the wider district.

Housing & Style

Homes and Architecture in Humboldt

Humboldt housing is predominantly pre-1930, with the bulk of the stock built between 1905 and 1925. Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, and Old Portland cottages dominate the residential blocks. Lots are smaller than Grant Park or Alameda, typically 3,500 to 5,000 square feet, reflecting the era's standard N/NE platting. Square footage runs wide, from 1,100-square-foot cottages to 2,600-square-foot foursquares, with many homes carrying finished basements that add usable space without changing the footprint.

When you shop Humboldt, expect two layers of inventory. Original-condition bungalows still exist on the interior blocks and trade at a discount, though their numbers shrink every year. Fully renovated homes with modern kitchens, upgraded systems, and sometimes ADUs trade at a premium and often see multiple offers when well-priced. Recent infill (duplexes, triplexes, skinny single-family) has been added on previously vacant or teardown lots, giving the neighborhood a mixed look on certain blocks. Micro-pockets near N Mississippi tend to price highest; blocks closer to MLK price lower.

Craftsman Bungalow
American Foursquare
Old Portland Cottage
3,500 to 5,000 sq ft lots
Mid-range for the district

Around the Neighborhood

Dining, Parks, and Daily Life

Pix Patisserie

Pastry & Champagne Bar

On N Williams near Skidmore, Pix Patisserie is a long-running Portland original serving French pastries, dessert plates, and an extensive Champagne list. Evening-focused; it stays open late and anchors this stretch of Williams.

Podnah's Pit Barbecue

Texas-Style BBQ

At NE Killingsworth near the northern edge of Humboldt, Podnah's is widely considered the best traditional barbecue in Portland. Brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken, served in a casual wood-paneled room. Cash-only history; now takes cards.

Barista

Coffee Shop

The Barista location on N Alberta just north of Humboldt is a local multi-roaster coffee shop that takes espresso seriously. Steady all-day traffic from residents, remote workers, and commuters between the Mississippi and Alberta corridors.

Peninsula Park

16-acre Historic Park

Just north of Humboldt at N Rosa Parks Way and N Albina, Peninsula Park includes a 1913 sunken rose garden (65,000 roses at peak), a community center with an indoor pool, tennis courts, a playground, and a historic bandstand. One of the oldest formally designed parks in Portland.

New Seasons & Mississippi Market

Grocery Options

The New Seasons at N Williams and Fremont is the closest full grocery, about a 10-minute walk from most of Humboldt. The Mississippi Marketplace on N Mississippi offers a grocery store, food carts, and the StormBreaker Brewing taproom for daily errands and casual dinners.

Getting Around

Transit & Commute

Driving to downtown Portland runs 10 to 15 minutes via I-5 or MLK. TriMet bus lines 4 (MLK), 6 (MLK to downtown), 24 (N Williams), and 44 (N Mississippi) all serve Humboldt. The N Williams and N Vancouver bike lanes carry heavy bike commute traffic and reach downtown in under 15 minutes on a bike.

From Your Agent

Joe's Take on Humboldt

When buyers ask me about Humboldt, I describe it as one of the best walk-and-bike positions in inner North/Northeast Portland. You are within a 10-minute walk of both Alberta Street and N Mississippi Avenue, two of the most active commercial corridors in the city. The trade-off is smaller lots than Grant Park or Alameda and a tighter block pattern, which means you get proximity rather than space.

The housing stock here suits buyers who prioritize walkability and early 20th-century architecture over lot size. If you want a large yard or a newer house on a single level, Humboldt is not the neighborhood. If you want a restored bungalow or foursquare within biking distance of downtown and walking distance of multiple commercial corridors, Humboldt consistently delivers that at a price point below Grant Park and below much of Alameda.

Before you offer in Humboldt, plan for the age of the housing stock. Sewer laterals on the pre-1925 blocks are often the original clay and run under mature street trees, so a sewer scope is essential on any home older than 80 years. Oil tanks are common; ask for a decommissioning certificate or get one before closing. Galvanized supply lines still exist in older unrenovated homes and typically need replacement within a few years. Also check the specific block against any recent infill development, which can affect sightlines and future density on the street.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Humboldt

How do Humboldt home prices compare to the rest of Northeast Portland?

Humboldt typically prices near the Northeast Portland district median, below Grant Park and Alameda and generally above Cully and Madison South. Pricing varies across Humboldt itself, with blocks near N Mississippi trending higher and blocks closer to NE MLK trending lower. For current median sale price on the neighborhood page above, the Lofty market data widget is updated monthly from RMLS.

What are property taxes like in Humboldt?

Humboldt is in Multnomah County. Property taxes are calculated on Measure 50 assessed value rather than market value, so two similar homes can have very different tax bills depending on when ownership last changed or major improvements triggered reassessment. Effective rates in this part of Northeast Portland generally run around 1.0 to 1.3 percent of real market value. Check specific property records at multcoproptax.com.

Which schools serve Humboldt?

Portland Public Schools serves Humboldt. The default assigned elementary for most of the neighborhood is Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary, with Harriet Tubman Middle School and Jefferson High School as the common middle and high school assignments. School assignment depends on the specific address and is subject to change, so always verify with the PPS boundary finder for your exact property.

What is the housing stock like in Humboldt?

Humboldt housing is predominantly pre-1930, with most homes built between 1905 and 1925. Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, and Old Portland cottages dominate. Lot sizes typically run 3,500 to 5,000 square feet, smaller than Grant Park or Alameda. Square footage ranges from 1,100 to 2,600, with many homes carrying finished basements. Recent infill (duplexes, triplexes, skinny single-family) appears on some blocks.

How long is the commute from Humboldt to downtown Portland?

The drive from Humboldt to downtown Portland typically runs 10 to 15 minutes via I-5, MLK Boulevard, or the Broadway Bridge. TriMet bus lines 4, 6, 24, and 44 all serve the neighborhood with direct downtown service. By bike, the N Williams and N Vancouver bike lanes carry commuters to downtown in under 15 minutes. MAX Yellow Line stations on N Interstate are about a 10-minute walk from the western edge of Humboldt.

Is Humboldt walkable?

Humboldt is very walkable. Walk Score rates most of the neighborhood in the 80s and edges close to 90 on blocks nearest N Mississippi and NE Alberta. Sidewalks are intact throughout, streets are flat, and the interior blocks connect directly to two major commercial corridors within a 10-minute walk. Check a specific address on walkscore.com for block-level detail.

How does Humboldt compare to nearby neighborhoods like Boise and Piedmont?

Boise sits immediately south of Humboldt along the same corridors and has very similar housing stock, typically pricing slightly higher because of its full N Mississippi frontage. Piedmont sits to the north across NE Ainsworth and offers slightly larger lots with more detached character. Humboldt in the middle offers walkable access to both Alberta and Mississippi at a price that usually tracks at or slightly below Boise and roughly even with Piedmont.

What are the ADU and short-term rental rules in Humboldt?

Humboldt is zoned primarily R2.5 and R5, which permits Accessory Dwelling Units subject to Portland's citywide ADU regulations. Humboldt also falls under Portland's Residential Infill Project rules that allow duplexes, triplexes, and in some cases fourplexes on most lots. Short-term rentals are regulated under Portland's Accessory Short-Term Rental program, which requires the operator to live on-site at least 270 nights per year for Type A permits. Verify zoning at portlandmaps.com.

Thinking About Buying in Humboldt?

I help buyers navigate Northeast Portland neighborhoods every week. Let's talk about what you need, what you can afford, and whether Humboldt is the right fit.

Schedule a Free Consultation Or call Joe directly: (503) 910-7364

Joe Saling · Saling Homes at eXp Realty · 10+ years serving Portland metro buyers and sellers

Saling Homes at eXp Realty is committed to the principles of the Fair Housing Act and Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in the State of Oregon. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Verify all data independently before making real estate decisions.