Best Hospitals in Portland (2026)
Portland has something rare in American healthcare: reasonable markups, excellent transparency, and solid quality — all at once. With cost-to-charge ratios between 0.33–0.40 (2.5–3x actual costs), ...
Portland has something rare in American healthcare: reasonable markups, excellent transparency, and solid quality — all at once. With cost-to-charge ratios between 0.33–0.40 (2.5–3x actual costs), Portland hospitals charge far less than California or Texas peers. Legacy Health publishes an industry-leading 228 priced procedures per facility. And the market offers multiple 4-star hospitals alongside OHSU, Oregon's premier academic medical center.
This guide ranks Portland-area hospitals by CMS star ratings, cost-to-charge ratios, and price transparency — showcasing one of the healthiest hospital markets in the US.
Top 5 Hospitals in Portland
| Hospital | CMS Rating | Cost-to-Charge | Priced Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence St. Vincent Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.39 | 148 |
| Providence Portland Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.40 | 148 |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.37 | 228 |
| OHSU Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐ | 0.35 | 135 |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐ | 0.38 | 228 |
Understanding the Rankings
CMS Star Ratings
Shriners Children's Portland earns 5 stars but is a specialized pediatric facility. Among general hospitals, three facilities earn 4 stars: Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (23,826 discharges), Providence Portland Medical Center (17,994 discharges), and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Providence Willamette Falls (Oregon City) also earns 4 stars.
The 3-star tier includes OHSU Hospital (27,706 discharges), Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (52,683 discharges — the metro's highest volume), Legacy Mount Hood (Gresham), and Providence Milwaukie.
Cost-to-Charge Ratio
Portland's cost-to-charge ratios are remarkably good by West Coast standards. Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center has the lowest at 0.33 (3x costs). OHSU sits at 0.35. Providence Milwaukie at 0.36. Legacy Good Samaritan at 0.37. Legacy Emanuel at 0.38. Providence St. Vincent at 0.39. Providence Portland at 0.40.
For context: Portland hospitals charge roughly 2.5–3x actual costs. That's dramatically better than San Francisco (5–12x), Austin (10–12x), or Nashville (11–14x). Oregon's all-nonprofit hospital market and regulatory environment deserve credit.
Price Transparency
Legacy Health is a national transparency leader — all Legacy facilities publish 228 priced procedures each (Emanuel, Good Samaritan, Mount Hood, and others). Providence publishes 147–148 per facility. OHSU publishes 135. Portland may be the most transparent hospital market in the United States.
Best Value Hospitals in Portland
- Best overall: Providence St. Vincent Medical Center — 4-star, 0.39 ratio, 148 priced procedures, 23,826 discharges
- Best transparency: Legacy Good Samaritan — 4-star with 228 priced procedures (among the highest in the US)
- Best academic: OHSU Hospital — 3-star but Oregon's only academic medical center, Level I trauma center, 135 priced procedures
- Lowest markups: Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center — 0.33 ratio with 228 priced procedures
- Highest volume: Legacy Emanuel — 52,683 discharges, 228 priced procedures, 0.38 ratio
Price Comparison: Common Procedures in Portland
- Lab work (CBC, metabolic panel): $12–$150 depending on facility
- CT scans: $250–$2,500 in the Portland metro
- MRI: $350–$3,000+ — freestanding imaging centers offer additional savings
- ER visits: Facility fees from $400 at smaller facilities to $1,500+ at major hospitals
Compare real prices using Taven's price comparison tool.
Portland Hospital System Overview
- Legacy Health — Portland's largest health system by transparency and volume. Operates Emanuel (52,683 discharges), Good Samaritan (4-star), Mount Hood (Gresham), Meridian Park (Tualatin), and behavioral health facilities. All publish 228 priced procedures. Nonprofit with ratios between 0.33–0.38.
- Providence Health & Services — Catholic nonprofit operating St. Vincent (4-star, 23,826 discharges), Portland Medical Center (4-star, 17,994 discharges), Milwaukie (3-star), and Willamette Falls (4-star, Oregon City). 147–148 priced procedures per facility. Ratios between 0.36–0.40.
- OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) — Oregon's only academic medical center and Level I trauma center. 3-star with 27,706 discharges and 135 priced procedures. Nationally ranked in cancer, neurology, and other specialties. Home to Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
- Shriners Children's Portland — 5-star specialized pediatric facility. Provides no-cost care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, and other specialty needs.
Portland: A Model Hospital Market
Portland may be the best hospital market in the western United States for patients. Here's why:
- All-nonprofit: No HCA, no for-profit chains. Every major system is nonprofit.
- Low markups: Cost-to-charge ratios of 0.33–0.40 — half the markups of Austin, Nashville, or San Jose.
- Elite transparency: 228 priced procedures at Legacy, 148 at Providence. National leaders.
- Multiple 4-star options: Three 4-star general hospitals plus OHSU's academic capabilities.
- Oregon's regulatory environment: Strong patient protections and nonprofit requirements.
Tips for Choosing a Hospital in Portland
- You're in one of the best hospital markets in the US. Low markups, excellent transparency, and solid quality across the board.
- Providence St. Vincent for planned procedures. 4-star quality with strong volume and 148 priced procedures.
- Legacy for transparency. 228 priced procedures — use the data to compare before you go.
- OHSU for complex care. Oregon's academic medical center and Level I trauma center. Essential for cancer, neurology, and rare conditions.
- Compare prices easily. Portland's transparency makes this simple. Use Taven's comparison tool.
- Oregon has strong patient protections. Including surprise billing protections and robust patient rights.
- Ask about charity care — all Portland hospitals are nonprofit and required to offer financial assistance.
- Get a Good Faith Estimate before any planned procedure.
- Review your bill. Use our free bill review tool to catch errors and overcharges.
How We Rank Hospitals
Our rankings use CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, cost-to-charge ratios from CMS cost reports, and price transparency compliance data. We don't accept advertising from hospitals. Learn more about our methodology.