It’s no secret that Oregon’s balance of remote outdoor activities, creative urban centres, and booming economy entices new residents from around the country.
Half of this state is covered by astonishing landscapes, a vast coastline, stunning weather, and vast wine and coffee scenes making it an ideal destination for those who love enjoying a peaceful and tranquil life away from big-city noise.
However, since this US state is home to various cities and towns, it might be difficult for you to choose the best option.
Hence, we have put together a list of the best places to live in Oregon in 2023 to help you make the appropriate choice. Check our best picks and move accordingly.
What is the prettiest place to live in Oregon?
Ashland is the prettiest place to live in Oregon because of its scenic views, outdoor adventures, historic places, and cultural and entertainment scenes.
Is Oregon expensive to live in?
Oregon is one of the pricey US states to call home. It is estimated that the cost of living in Oregon for an individual averages $38,500 per annum to live comfortably in this state, which is way more than the national average of $48,000.
9 Best Places to Live in Oregon
Here, we have outlined the 9 best places in Oregon to live in 2023. All the cities listed below are famous for offering good quality of life,
excellent job markets, and high-end safety to their residents. Check the options and make an informed choice.
| Places | Young adults | Population | CrimeRate(per 1000persons) VC* & PC* | MedianHome price | AverageRentPrice | COLPer person per month | MedianIncome(Perannum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | Young adults | 650,000 | 21.7 & 72.3 | $547,999 | $1763 | $1338 | $37,342 |
| Bend | Raising a family | 103,254 | 1.8 & 16 | $707,668 | $1781 | $2589 | $74,253 |
| Corvallis | Youngadults | 60,956 | 2.22 & 41 | $750,000 | $1773 | $1500 | $55,390 |
| Salem | Singles | 177,487 | 20& 59 | $420092 | $1417 | $1100 | $62,185 |
| Eugene | Families | 177,923 | 24 & 58 | $477,812 | $1752 | $1094 | $55,776 |
| West Linn | Southern Oregon | 26,931 | 6.8 & 20 | $794,000 | $2200 | $2012 | $124,098 |
| Lake Oswego | Retirees | 40,108 | 8.4 & 22 | $898,000 | $2123 | $2019 | $120,585 |
| Milwaukee city | Weather | 21,375 | 12.7 & 35.3 | $200,000 | $2500 | $1105 | $73,351 |
| Hillsboro | Singles | 107,299 | 16.3 &32 | $542,700 | $1970 | $1506 | $91,540 |
(*VC – Violent crime, PC – property crime)Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/oregoncitycityoregon,
1. Portland- Best Known For Vibrant Cityscape, Arts, Crafts & Attractions
Portland, the largest as well as the port city of Oregon is situated in the northwestern part of Multnomah County placed at the junction of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
The most populous city of Oregon is famous for its huge green surroundings, numerous parks, stunning forests, breathtaking mountain views, long-run bridges, bicycle paths, music scenes, and more.
Portland has a great school and healthcare system offering quality education and healthcare.
It’s also home to major organization’s operation centres like Boeing, Intel, US Bank, and Nike which makes it a livable place for students and young adults.
Is there a homeless problem in Portland, Oregon?
Yes. The homeless problem in Oregon has increased due to the housing shortage, the high drug addiction rate, and the pandemic. More than 3,000 people are estimated to be homeless, which is 50% more than in 2019.
Is Portland expensive to live in?
Yes. Portland’s housing market is 66% higher than the national average. Also, its cost of living is 17.7% more than the US average, making it one of the costliest cities in the country to live in.
Is it cold in Portland Oregon?
Weather in Portland Oregon has a moderate climate with parched, hot, and short summers and very cold, cloudy, and wet winters.
2. Bend – Best known for its exceptional recreations
Bend is a small city on the Deschutes River, located in central Oregon.
It is flanked by crystal clear lakes, beautiful high deserts, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains, accomplishing a habitable place for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.
Bend is also called “the beer capital of Oregon” and “The Palm Springs of the North,” owing to more than two dozen golf courses and having a well-acclaimed culinary scene.
Find the best restaurants in Bend Oregon, and satiate your taste buds.
The best thing about Bend is its safety, excellent schools, high employment rate, and family-friendly activities which make it a great place to raise a family.
Is Bend Oregon a safe city to live in?
Bend is one of the safest places to live in Oregon with a relatively lower criminal activity level than other places in the country. The city ranks #6 on the list of safest cities in Oregon according to Bend PD reports.
What are the downsides of living in Bend Oregon?
The job opportunities in Bend, Oregon, are quite limited compared to the larger cities. Also, it is located in a very remote area of Oregon, making it difficult for residents to connect to big cities.
3. Corvallis – Home to Oregon State University
The dynamic University town of Oregon, Corvallis is located in Benton County which is 13 kilometres from Portland.
Unlike other big cities in the state, Corvallis is all about safety, greenery, culture, and outdoor activities, and it is the best college town that makes way for young adults and singles to settle down.
The city offers a quaint small-town feel with a lot of local entertainment, better life quality, outdoor recreation, attractive dining options, bicycle-friendly tracks, and a pleasant retirement community.
Is Corvallis Oregon a good place to live?
Yes, Corvallis Oregon is considered to be one of the best places in Oregon to settle in. Living here will give you a suburban feel. Moreover, this place is safe, with a low crime rate.
How far is Corvallis from the ocean?
Corvallis is around 92 kilometers away from the Oregon Coast.
4. Salem – Best known for Cherry growing industries
The capital city of Oregon, Salem is one of the best places in the US state to settle in. It is located in the middle of the Willamette Valley, and is famous for being the “Garden Capital of Oregon.”
The city is packed with a myriad of public and private gardens that come alive during the Spring months.
Salem has a lower unemployment rate, affordable cost of living, rental properties, and housing as compared to other Oregon cities, conceding singles, couples, and younger populations a great area to settle down.
Besides these, it also offers a big-city vibe, vibrant nightlife, great outdoor opportunities, and terrific arts and cultural scenes to witness during trip gateways.
Is Salem Oregon a good place to live?
Yes, Salem is a good city in Oregon to live in. It offers comfortable weather and a peaceful setting to raise your family. The cost of living in Salem Oregon is 102.4 which is very less than Oregon’s cost of living of 114.3.
Is Salem Oregon where the witch trials were?
No. Salem is not the place where witch trials used to happen. It was colonial Massachusetts where the Salem Witch trials practice happened from early 1692- mid-1693.
Is there anything to do in Salem Oregon?
Yes, there are several things to enjoy in Salem, Oregon, including visiting public gardens, theme parks, heritage centers, and riverfront Carousels.
5. Eugene – Home to the University of Oregon, stadiums, famous attractions, and festivals
Located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is one of the best towns to live in Oregon, for various good reasons.
This city is famous for offering tons of recreational activities, bicycle and hiking trails, dense greenery, great culinary scenes, incredible wineries, and organic farming.
Overall, Eugene has a thriving local entertainment, arts, culture, and outdoor scenes.
Speaking of safety, Eugene is ranked in the top 25 safest places to live in by US News and World Report.
It has above-average rated public schools, high employment rates with handsome salaries, affordable cost of living, and safer and family-friendly communities.
Aren’t these features enough for families and retirees to settle down in the emerald city?
Is Eugene, Oregon a nice place to live?
Yes, Eugene Oregon is a nice place to live in. It offers a strong job market, high quality of living, and an endless list of recreational activities to keep residents engaged.
What percentage of Eugene, Oregon is black?
Around 1.4% of Eugene’s population is Black or African American.
How expensive is it to live in Eugene, Oregon?
Yes. The average cost of living in Eugene is $1814, which is in the top 21% of the costliest cities in the world.
6. West Linn – Best known for its stunning Willamette Falls
A city in Clackamas County, West Linn, Oregon is a southern suburb within the Portland metropolitan area.
Since it is located along the Willamette River, it is a quaint community with charming views and tasty dining options.
It is also famous for being the “City of Hills, Trees, and River, and is home to the Nature Conservancy’s Camassia Natural Area.
Living in West Linn means witnessing its splendid weather, a beautiful landscape, living in a peaceful neighbourhood,
having fewer crime scenes, and having a diverse quality of life, which stands perfect for families to settle down.
Hidden Springs is one of the best neighbourhoods to live in in West Linn.
Is West Linn Oregon a good place to live?
West Inn, Oregon, is a nice place for those who prefer living in a peaceful setting with a low crime rate.
Is West Linn a suburb of Portland?
West Inn is a southern suburb within the Portland metropolitan area.
Does West Linn Oregon have a downtown?
West Inn, Oregon, has a historic downtown, known as the Historic Willamette Main Street that preserves the rich history and natural beauty of the region.
7. Lake Oswego – Well-known for the Public Golf course of Loamy Lake and stunning mountain views
Located around 13 kilometres south of Portland, Lake Oswego is one of the old establishments in Oregon and was founded in 1847.
This city is famous for its lively dining scene and a myriad of shopping outlets.
It is also home to the headquarters of large employers, lakefront and riverfront parks, a performing arts center, and a famous outdoor sculpture walk.
The city of Lake Oswego has a strong community sense, top-rated schools, good healthcare facilities, and great access to Portland.
Despite having a higher cost of living and housing prices, retirees and families find Lake Oswego a perfect destination for settling down.
Is Lake Oswego wealthy?
People moving to Lake Oswego have listed the city among the wealthiest Oregon communities because of its expensive real estate properties in the state.
Is Lake Oswego a good place to live?
Yes, definitely. Lake Oswego is one of the best places to live for families, as it has a safe environment, natural beauty, great schools, and a sense of community.
Is Lake Oswego a real lake?
Yes, it is a real lake in Clackamas County, surrounded by the city of Lake Oswego.
8. Milwaukie City – Known For Taprooms, Wine Bars & Shopping
If you are searching for the best places to live in Oregon for weather, then turn to Milwaukie and enjoy pleasant summer and winter months.
A city in Clackamas County, Milwaukie is sometimes referred to as the “Dogwood City of the West”, for the Spring Blossoms.
This place is famous for its great shopping, taprooms, and wine bars.
Living in Milwaukee city means proximity to many outdoor recreations, bike-riding, incredibly less crime rate, and admission in top-rated public schools which makes it a place adobe for families.
Not to ignore, Milwaukie’s cost of living is 84.7 which is much lesser than Oregon and the national average.
Is Milwaukee a good place to live?
Yes, of course. It is an excellent place to settle in, owing to the low crime rate and tons of outdoor activities to enjoy.
9. Hillsboro – Known for its high-technological companies
The fifth-largest city in Oregon, Hillsboro is situated in the Tualatin Valley of Washington County. It is popular for its beautiful parks and sports fields.
The city is known to be the Tualatin Valley’s Beervana, as it is home to several craft breweries.
Hillsboro is 57% safer than other cities in Oregon. The cost of living is also pretty liberal. Moreover, it’s a hub for various technology and business companies providing careers to locals and ex-pats.
So, it’s a great choice for singles and couples who are relocating to Oregon to get a job and settle down.
Is Hillsboro Oregon a good place to live?
Yes. The city is ranked #40 on the Best Places to Live, according to Livability.com. Moreover, is one of the safest places with a low crime rate.
Is Hillsboro Oregon affordable?
Yes. Although its housing expenses are 54% higher than the national average, the city is still referred to as the most affordable place to live in the entire state of Oregon.
Is Hillsboro cheaper than Portland?
Yes, of course. Hillsboro is around 8.5% less expensive than Portland.
How far is Hillsboro from Portland?
Hillsboro is 32 kilometres (30 minutes) away from Portland Oregon.
What are the pros and cons of living in Oregon?
Before you jump into the moving process, learning about the pros and cons of living in Oregon is good. A few of them are mentioned here.
| Pros | Con |
|---|---|
| Remarkable views and epic natural scenery | Expensive housing market |
| No sales tax | High cost of living |
| Home to award-winning wineries | The weather is not good in big cities |
| Easy access to the Oregon coast | Poor school system |
| Environment-friendly locale | Reserved Locals |
Best Places to Live In Oregon FAQs
Where in Oregon should I move?
There are plenty of the best places to live in Oregon, such as Portland, Hillsboro, Gresham, Salem, and Eugene. This state is home to both small art towns where you can enjoy rural vibes to high-end cities with big-city vibes. Evaluate your needs and pick the option accordingly.
What should I know before moving to Oregon?
Along with the best restaurants and things to do in Oregon, there are certain factors you should be aware of before making a move.
Oregon is one of the most expensive states to live in with a skyrocketed housing market. Also, you can traffic congestion in Oregon’s larger cities. The weather is also gloomy and rainy for much of the year.
Conclusion
That’s all about the 9 best places to live in Oregon. We hope this guide will help you narrow your choices.
Oregon is one of the most charming and beautiful US states, known for its diverse landscape and coastal escapes.
But, this place has various downsides, which you must be aware of before packing your bags.
The cost of living in this US state is insanely high, making it non-suitable for budget-conscious movers.
Also, the weather is not so favourable in the state, especially in big cities, which is yet another matter of concern for visitors.
So, if you have made up your mind about relocating to Oregon, then pick any of the cities listed above and get ready to move to this beautiful state for good.