Cost of Living in Oregon

So, you’re thinking about heading west and setting up shop in Oregon but wondering, Can I afford to live there? That’s definitely a smart question to ask!

To help you make a confident decision about your move, we’re going to break down the cost of living in Oregon and show you how much you can expect to pay for housing, groceries, transportation, health care and other common expenses in the Beaver state. (Yep, that’s Oregon’s official nickname.)

Let’s hop in!

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Oregon?

The cost of living in Oregon is 16% higher than the national average, making it a more expensive place to live than many other states.

Where did that number come from? We looked at the 2023 Cost of Living Index from The Council for Community and Economic Research, which compared the cost of living in Oregon to the rest of the U.S.¹ Unless otherwise stated, all the numbers in this article come from that index.

Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon

Wondering specifically about the cost of living in Oregon’s biggest city? The cost of living in Portland, Oregon, is 22% higher than the national average—with housing costs that exceed the national average by a whopping 56%.

So, if you’re considering a move to Portland, know that living there is really expensive.

Cost of Living in Oregon Compared to Bordering States

Let’s compare the cost of living in Oregon to its four bordering states: California, Idaho, Nevada and Washington.

State	Cost of Living vs. National Average
California	40% higher
Idaho	1% lower
Nevada	2% higher
Washington	16% higher

Cost of Living in Oregon by Category of Expenses

Here’s a look at the cost of living in Oregon by the most common categories of expenses: groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services—things like clothing and trips to the movies.

Expense Category	Cost vs. National Average
Groceries	7% higher
Housing	41% higher
Utilities	3% lower
Transportation	17% higher
Health Care	3% higher
Misc. Goods and Services	7% higher

Cost of Housing in Oregon

The median home listing price in Oregon during the summer of 2023 was $587,000, and the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,328.^2,3 But the price you’ll pay for a home or apartment in Oregon will depend on which city you move to—housing in some Oregon cities is less expensive than those numbers, and it’s much more expensive in other cities.

To give you a good idea of the range, here’s a look at the specific costs to buy a home or rent an apartment in some of the biggest cities and best places to live in Oregon.

City	Median Home Listing Price	Median Rent
Portland	$560,0004	$1,7865
Salem	$484,0006	$1,5007
Bend	$895,0008	$2,7009
Eugene	$525,00010	$1,80011
Beaverton	$570,00012	$2,00013
Corvallis	$598,00014	$2,10015

Other Costs to Keep in Mind

Now let’s dive into some other expenses you’ll need to keep in mind if you’re considering a move to Oregon, because housing isn’t the only thing you’ll have to pay for! We’ll cover what you can expect groceries, transportation, health care, taxes and other miscellaneous expenses to cost you.

Groceries

Groceries in Oregon cost 7% more than the national average. Wondering about the cost of specific items that always wind up in your cart? The typical half gallon of milk in Oregon will cost you $3.92, a pound of ground beef runs about $5.58, and the average price of a dozen eggs is $3.43.

Transportation

Wondering how much it’ll cost you to make your way to the campus of the University of Oregon to watch the Ducks, or to drive past Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton? Transportation costs in Oregon are 17% higher than the national average, and the average price for a gallon of gas is $4.34—14% more than the national average of $3.80.

Health Care

Medical expenses always sting a little, but they’re part of life. Here’s how much you can expect to pay in Oregon for medication or a visit to your primary care doctor, the dentist or an eye doctor.

Health Care Expense	Average Oregon Cost	National Average	Difference
General Doctor	$137.88	$129.92	6% more
Dentist	$124.56	$111.85	11% more
Eye Doctor	$122.23	$121.80	0.35% more
Advil	$11.27	$10.48	7% more
Prescription Drug	$367.39	$464.38	21% less

Taxes

Time to talk taxes—everyone’s favorite topic! (Hopefully, you picked up on our sarcasm there.) When it comes to taxes in Oregon, there’s good news and bad news. The good news? Oregon has no state sales tax. The bad news? Oregon does have a state income tax, and it ranges between 4.75% and 9.90% depending on your income.¹⁶

Find expert agents to help you buy your home.

Miscellaneous Goods and Services

There are several expenses that don’t really fit into a major category, so let’s take a peek at a few of those here. In Oregon, ordering a pizza costs $12.64, getting a haircut runs $32.82, and buying a new shirt sets you back $32.70 on average.

Can You Afford to Live in Oregon?

At this point, you probably have one big question on your mind: Can I afford to live in Oregon? Well, the answer to that question will depend on a number of factors, like your income, the size of your family, and which city in Oregon you choose to live in.

The best way to get a good idea of whether you can afford the cost of living in Oregon is to use our free Cost of Living Calculator. It will let you plug in your current city and compare it with Oregon.

When it comes to housing, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that your monthly payment—whether you’re renting or you own a home—should be no more than 25% of your take-home pay. Anything more than that, and you run the risk of overspending on housing and not having enough money left over for other important items in your budget.

You can use our free mortgage calculator to get a good idea of which home prices would fit within your budget.

Ready to Move to Oregon?

If you’ve crunched the numbers and decided that moving to Oregon is the best decision for you and your family, that’s exciting! But if you’re planning to buy a home, you need to connect with a top-notch Oregon real estate agent before you start packing up your furniture and all those Little League trophies.

A local real estate agent with expertise on the housing market in Oregon can make your life a whole lot easier by coaching and guiding you from start to finish. And that’s a big deal, because let’s face it—moving to a new state isn’t easy!

Our network of RamseyTrusted real estate agents is full of great pros in Oregon. They’ve all been vetted by our team to make sure they’ll serve you with excellence and prioritize your needs.

Connect with a RamseyTrusted agent today!