How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in Portland, OR? (2026 Pricing Guide)

Portland junk removal pricing generally falls into three tiers based on volume:

- **Single item pickup:** $79–$200 - **Partial truck load (⅓ to ½):** $250–$450 - **Full truck load:** $450–$800+

These ranges reflect what most Portland-area haulers charge. But your actual price depends on which company you choose, what items need removing, and whether any special handling is required — like appliances with Freon or construction debris.

Here's how the major players in the Portland metro area compare:

1-800-GOT-JUNK operates a franchise location serving the entire Portland metro, covering Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, and Columbia Counties. You can reach them at 971-417-4401. Their pricing is volume-based — they show up, assess your items, and give you a quote based on truck space used.

- **Minimum charge:** Around $129 for a single item - **1/4 truck load:** $300–$500 - **1/2 truck load:** $400–$600 - **Full truck load:** $700–$1,000+ - **How it works:** Free on-site estimate, crew handles all lifting - **Reviews:** 4.1 stars on Yelp (80+ reviews) — praised for professionalism and speed, but some customers find pricing steep

The convenience is real, but the national brand overhead drives prices higher than local alternatives.

Junk King is another national franchise with a Portland presence. They focus on eco-friendly disposal and claim to recycle or donate 60%+ of what they collect.

- **Minimum charge:** $99–$149 - **Full truck:** $500–$700+ - **How it works:** On-site estimate, volume-based pricing - **Extras:** Strong emphasis on recycling and donation

Portland has a healthy ecosystem of independent haulers — companies like PDX Junk Removal, City Sanitary Service, and various owner-operator outfits operating across the metro. City Sanitary Service, for example, handles both regular collection and bulky item pickups for Portland residents.

- **Minimum charge:** $100–$175 - **Full truck:** $350–$600 - **Pros:** More flexible on scheduling, often lower prices, local knowledge - **Cons:** Availability and quality can vary

Dropcurb takes a fundamentally different approach to junk removal in Portland. Instead of paying for a truck and crew to enter your home, you place your items at the curb and Dropcurb handles everything from there — pickup, hauling, and responsible disposal.

- **First item:** $79 - **Additional items:** $19 (small), $29 (standard), $39 (large) - **How it works:** Book online, set items curbside, Dropcurb picks them up - **Best for:** 1–5 items like couches, mattresses, appliances, TVs

By handling the "last 50 feet" yourself — moving items from inside to the curb — Dropcurb eliminates the most expensive part of traditional junk removal: the labor. A typical couch removal runs $79 with Dropcurb versus $200+ with a full-service hauler.

Before paying anyone, Portland residents should know about the city's bulky waste collection program. If you live in a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex in Portland, you can schedule curbside pickup of bulky items through your garbage company.

Here's how it works:

- **Eligibility:** Residents of houses and smallplexes (1–4 units) within Portland city limits - **How to schedule:** Contact your assigned garbage and recycling company directly. You can find your hauler by looking up your address on the City of Portland's garbage company map at Portland.gov. - **Turnaround:** Most companies will complete pickup within 7 days of your request. - **Placement:** Set items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. - **Base cost:** Approximately $18 for a single-trip pickup. - **What's accepted:** Furniture, mattresses, appliances, and other large household items that don't fit in your cart.

1. **Limited scope:** The $18 base fee covers a single trip. If you have multiple large items, extra time, or need additional crew, costs increase. 2. **Renters:** If you rent, you need to coordinate with your landlord to arrange pickup. 3. **Apartment dwellers:** If you live in a building with 5+ units, this program typically isn't available to you directly. 4. **No interior service:** Items must be at the curb. If you can't move a heavy piece yourself, you still need help.

If you have a truck or access to a trailer, you can haul items to one of Metro's two transfer stations yourself. Oregon Metro operates the regional solid waste system for the greater Portland area.

- **Address:** 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland, OR 97210 - **Accepts:** Trash, yard debris, wood waste, appliances, household hazardous waste

- **Address:** 2001 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045 - **Note:** Does not accept commercial organics or loads in semi-trailers

- **Minimum load fee (self-haul):** $28 per load at staffed scales (covers loads up to 240 pounds) - **Loads over 240 lbs:** Charged proportionally at per-ton rates, plus a $7.85 transaction fee - **Trash/garbage per ton:** $162.14 - **Wood/yard debris mixed:** $162.14 per ton - **Uncovered load surcharge:** $25 per ton ($3 extra for minimum loads) - **Hours:** Vary by location — check oregonmetro.gov before visiting

Metro also operates a garbage and recycling hotline at **503-234-3000** (available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) if you have questions about what's accepted.

Self-hauling is the cheapest option on paper, but factor in your time, gas, potential trailer rental ($50–$75/day from U-Haul or Home Depot), the physical labor of loading, and the risk of an uncovered load surcharge. For a single mattress or couch, the math rarely works out better than Dropcurb's $79.

Several Portland-specific factors influence what you'll pay:

Standard furniture and household items are straightforward, but certain items cost more:

- **Mattresses:** Oregon's new statewide mattress recycling program (launched January 1, 2025) means mattresses now have dedicated recycling channels through the Bye Bye Mattress program. However, if you need pickup service rather than drop-off, you'll still pay for hauling. - **Appliances with Freon:** Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units require certified Freon recovery under EPA Section 608 regulations. This adds $25–$50 to most quotes. - **Hot tubs:** Portland loves its hot tubs — removal typically runs $300–$500+ because of disassembly requirements. - **Electronics:** Oregon has an e-waste recycling law (Oregon E-Cycles) that provides free recycling for computers, monitors, and TVs at designated drop-off sites.

The Portland metro stretches across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties. If you're in inner SE Portland or the Pearl District, you'll typically pay less than someone out in Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, or Gresham simply because of drive time and distance from disposal facilities.

Portland's housing stock includes plenty of older multi-story homes, walk-up apartments, and hillside properties in areas like the West Hills, Council Crest, and Alameda Ridge. Full-service haulers often charge extra for:

- Second-floor or higher apartments - Narrow hallways and tight staircases (common in Portland's older homes) - Steep driveways and hillside access - Walk-up basements without exterior access

Curbside services like Dropcurb avoid these surcharges entirely since you're placing items at street level.

Portland gets roughly 43 inches of rain annually, with the wettest months running October through May. Some haulers charge extra for handling waterlogged or rain-damaged items. If you're scheduling a pickup, covering items with a tarp can prevent this.

Call your assigned garbage hauler to schedule a bulky waste pickup starting around $18. Find your hauler at Portland.gov — service companies include Waste Management, Pacific Sanitation, and City Sanitary Service depending on your neighborhood.

If you have a truck and a strong back, the $28 minimum load fee at Metro Central or Metro South is hard to beat. Just make sure your load is covered — an uncovered load adds $3 to the minimum fee. Metro's hotline (503-234-3000) can answer disposal questions before you go.

As of January 2025, the Bye Bye Mattress program offers **free mattress drop-off** at participating locations across the Portland metro. The program is funded by a $22.50 fee on new mattress purchases, so recycling your old one costs nothing at designated sites. Visit ByeByeMattress.com for current Portland-area locations.

Portland has an exceptionally strong donation infrastructure:

- **Community Warehouse** (furniture bank) — Locations at 3969 NE MLK Jr Blvd (Portland), 464 NE 219th Ave (Gresham), and 9806 SW Tigard St (Tigard). They accept sofas, dressers, tables, and mattresses in good condition. Phone: 503-235-8786. - **Habitat for Humanity Portland Region ReStores** — Locations in Portland (10445 SE Cherry Blossom Dr), Gresham (610 NE 181st Ave), Beaverton (13475 SW Millikan Way), and Tigard (12130 SW Main St). They take furniture, appliances, building materials, and home decor. - **Salvation Army and Goodwill** — Multiple Portland-area locations accepting furniture and household goods, often with free pickup.

Donating is free, you get a tax deduction, and items stay out of the landfill.

Dropcurb's per-item pricing rewards bundling. Your first item is $79, but additional items are only $19–$39 each. Removing a couch, mattress, and two end tables might cost $79 + $29 + $29 + $19 = $156 — versus $300–$450+ from a traditional hauler for the same items.

Portland sees heavy moving activity in summer (June–September), when the weather is best and PSU/UP/Reed students are cycling leases. During these months, junk removal companies get busier and prices can climb. Book early or schedule during the rainier off-peak months for better availability and potentially lower rates.

For most Portland residents dealing with a few items, here's the realistic cost comparison:

| Scenario | Traditional Hauler | Dropcurb | DIY (Metro Station) | |---|---|---|---| | Single couch | $150–$250 | $79 | $28+ (min load + gas/time) | | Couch + mattress | $250–$400 | $108 | $28+ (min load + gas/time) | | 5 mixed items | $350–$500 | $156–$195 | $28–$50+ (may exceed min) | | Full garage cleanout | $450–$800+ | N/A (use hauler) | $50–$100+ |

Dropcurb offers the best value for 1–5 item pickups in Portland. For larger cleanouts, a traditional hauler or self-hauling to Metro Central makes more sense. And for mattresses specifically, check the free Bye Bye Mattress program first.

[Book your Portland junk removal with Dropcurb starting at $79 →]