Best Places To Live In Oregon In 2023

Ready to make the move to Oregon? Looking to purchase residential real estate in the Beaver State? Your search starts with finding the Oregon city that’s the best fit for you. Fortunately, Oregon boasts a range of cities of all sizes, from the booming metropolis of Portland to the coastal towns of Seaside and Coos Bay to the more affordable environs of Eugene and Salem.

Here is a look at the best places to live in Oregon, and how much home you can buy in these Beaver State communities.

Best Cities To Live In Oregon

Oregon is home to several large cities. In our list of the best of these, we considered housing values, crime statistics, the strength of local schools, cost of living, job opportunities and cultural activities.

Portland

Portland remains the biggest city in Oregon, with a population of 641,162 as of July of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's not surprising that so many want to live here: Drive about an hour to the east, and you can visit the mountains. Drive an hour in the opposite direction? You'll hit the ocean. And in Portland itself, you can choose from a wide range of highly ranked restaurants, visit museums, attend a long list of neighborhood festivals and shop at both mainstream and boutique restaurants. If you are ready to make the move to this city, check out the many homes for sale in Portland and explore Portland real estate trends.

It's not inexpensive to buy here, though. The median sales price of homes in Portland hit $529,739 in September, up 4.6% from the same month 1 year earlier. Three-bedroom homes sold for a median price of $534,700 in September of this year, while four-bedroom homes fetched a median price of $699,900.

If you are searching for a home here, you will have choices. There were 4,183 homes for sale in Portland as of September of 2022, up 5.1% from a year earlier. Of the 628 homes sold here in September of 2022, 259 were sold under asking price and 219 above the sellers' asking price.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that the median household income in Portland from 2016 to 2020 was $73,159, with 13.1% of the people here living in poverty.

West Linn

A southern suburb within the Portland metropolitan area, West Linn was home to 27,103 residents in July of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's a good option for buyers who want the excitement of the big city while looking for homes in the suburbs.

If you’re looking for home for sale in West Linn, the sale prices can be on the higher end. In September of 2022, the median sales price of a home in West Linn came in at $749,928, up 16.3% from a year earlier.

Finding a home could be challenging, too. There were only 180 homes for sale in West Linn in September of this year. 40 homes in that group sold in 22, or 55%, sold for more than what the sellers asked. These homes didn't stay on the market long, either, selling in an average of 29 days.

Bend

Looking for an artsy enclave or a quiet community in which to raise your family? But do you still want the culture, museums, restaurants and entertainment options of a big city? Consider Bend, a city of 102,059 residents – according to July 2021 U.S. Census accounts – located about 150 miles southeast of Portland. This city boasts a relaxed vibe, while the median household income was a solid $67,973 from 2016 through 2020.

If you are looking for homes in Bend, know that you will, again, have to spend. According to the latest real estate trends in Bend, the median sales price of a home in Bend stood at $695,000 in September of 2022. It doesn't look as if these prices will fall anytime soon: That median price is a whopping 27.5% higher than in September of 2021.

The good news? You will have some time to make a decision. It took an average of 52 days to sell a home in Bend in July of this year.

Corvallis

Corvallis offers a diverse population and the vibe of a college town, what with the Oregon State University-Cascades campus located here. It's also known for its bike-friendly nature and strong public transportation system. It's not overly large or small, with a population of 59,864 in July of 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Looking for a home in Corvallis? It’s a fairly neutral market, according to recent market reports. The median sales price was just a shade under $575,000 in September of 2022.

The big challenge might be finding a home. In September of this year, only five homes sold in Corvallis.

Best Places To Live On The Oregon Coast

Like ocean views, majestic sand dunes and busy harbors? The Oregon Coast might be the best choice for you. Thanks to a long-ago bill, all 363 miles of Oregon's coastline are open to the public. Buying a home along the coast, then, will give you easy access to miles of natural areas and sandy beaches.

Newport

The city of Newport, tucked along the western coast of Oregon, sits along the scenic Yaquina Bay. This means that this community – a population of 10,496 as of July of 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau – is blessed with amazing scenery. It's also known as the Dungeness Crab Capital of the world and is home to beaches such as Nye Beach and Agate Beach.

If you are looking for homes for sale in Newport, you might have to act fast. Although homes are less expensive here than they are in the bigger cities of Oregon, there is a limited supply on the market at any one time.  

In September of 2022, homes sold for a median price of $477,500 in Newport. That's up 61.9% from July of last year.

Cannon Beach

National Geographic in 2013 listed Cannon Beach as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world. It's not surprising. Thanks to its coastal location, this tiny community is known for the majestic Haystack Rock, which soars above the shoreline, and the waterfalls at Hug Point. The city itself boasts art galleries, boutiques and charming restaurants.

This is a small community, though, with a population under 1,600 as of 2020. This means the number of homes for sale will be limited. And if you are looking for homes in Cannon Beach, you'll need to spend plenty of money: The median sales price of a home here was $838,400 for homes sold in September of 2022.

Coos Bay

Another Oregon coastal community known for stunning views of the ocean, Coos Bay also boasts lush forests and a busy downtown hub. This city has the largest population – 16,615 – of any municipality on Oregon's coast.

If you're a fan of culture and art, you'll enjoy Coos Bay's Marshfield District, home to several historic buildings, art galleries, shops and restaurants.

If you're a savvy shopper, you can nab a home here at an affordable price. The median sales price of a home in Coos Bay hit $320,000 in September of 2022. That’s only up 16.4% from September a year earlier.

You might not have an abundance of homes from which to choose, though. In September of 2022, only 19 homes sold here. Twelve of those homes sold for higher than what their owners were asking, while three sold under their original asking price.

Seaside

A small resort city in northwest Oregon, Seaside is known for its promenade, beaches, forest land and hiking. The community is also known as a favorite for bicyclists and has a definite touristy vibe. The population here was a low 7,234 as of July 2021.

If you are looking for a home in Seaside, you might have more choices today. According to our housing report, Seaside had 53 homes for sale in September of 2022. That's down 8.6% from a year earlier. The median sold price for homes sold during September was $530,470.

Top Affordable Places To Live In Oregon

Many of the bigger and coastal cities of Oregon are filled with expensive housing. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t affordable places to live in the state. Here are several Oregon communities that have lower-priced housing while still boasting lower crime rates, strong public schools and plenty of amenities.

Eugene

Eugene ranks as the third-largest city in Oregon, with a population of 175,096 in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's also a place where you can find more affordable housing. Just be aware: When affordable starter homes pop onto the market, they sell fast.

The median for-sale price of all homes sold in Eugene during September of this year was $474,707, up 14.4% from September of 2021. That's not exactly cheap. But if you search home listings, you can find properties in the $300,000 – $400,000 range.

And if you buy here, you can take advantage of Eugene's local arts and cultural scene and its many outdoor recreation options. Hiking trails are common in Eugene, including the 12-mile Ridgeline Trail System.

Salem

Slightly larger than Eugene, Salem boasted a population of 175,096 in the summer of 2021, according to Census figures. It also has a solid supply of homes for sale, with 350 on the market in September of 2022.

And if you're looking for a more affordable starter home, you can find properties priced at $310,000 and lower. Just be aware that you'll be getting less home for your dollars. You also won't be able to find properties at that price range in the trendier or more in-demand neighborhoods of Salem.

The median sales price of a home in Salem stood at $424,940 in September of 2022, up 13.3% from the same month a year earlier. Homes took an average of 24 days to sell in September of this year, so you'll have to act quickly to nab an affordable property here.

Springfield

With a median sales price of $385,200 as of September of 2022, Springfield ranks as one of the more affordable housing markets in the state. The community lies just outside of Eugene – about an 8-minute car ride – so you'll get the perks of a big city while living in a municipality that had a population of just 62,256 in the summer of 2021.

Housing can be affordable here, too, with many homes selling for under $330,000. There are several homes to choose from, too, with 185 on the market in Springfield in September of 2022.

As in most desirable Oregon markets, though, you'll have to act quickly if you find a home you like: Homes in Springfield sold in an average of 21 days recently.

Baker City

Located in eastern Oregon, Baker City is a small community with a population of just 10,170 in July of 2021. And if you're a fan of the outdoors, it's an especially appealing area, providing easy access to the Snake River, Oregon Trail and Hells Canyon.

The median sales price of a home in Baker City was an affordable $250,000 in September of 2022. During the same month, 91 homes were for sale, and properties sold in an average of 33 days, giving buyers a bit more time to consider their options.

Five of the three homes that sold in Baker City in July sold for above asking price, while six sold for less than what their owners were asking. It might be possible, then, to get a solid deal when buying a home here.

Good Places To Live In Oregon For Singles And Young Professionals

Oregon features plenty for singles and young professionals: Those who like the outdoors have access to forests, rivers and beaches. Those into nightlife can visit trendy clubs and gourmet restaurants. Oregon’s cities offer pubs, museums, concerts and boutique retail options.

Here are some of the top locales in Oregon for singles and young professionals. We looked for metro areas and big cities with safe streets, solid property values and plenty to do.

Richmond

A busy neighborhood of Portland, Richmond offers a mix of suburban and urban living. There are bars, coffee shops, restaurants and theaters. But Richmond is also home to green space, quiet streets and highly rated public schools. Because it's close to the center of Portland, it also offers a short commute to work.

The big challenge for young professionals here? Finding a home in their budget. The recent median sales price of homes in Richmond $690,000, up 11.3% from a year earlier.

A total of 76 homes were for sale in this neighborhood as of September 2022. It took an average of 21 days for a home to sell in Richmond in last month.

Pearl

The Pearl District ranks as one of the trendier neighborhoods of Portland. Once filled with warehouses and industrial plants, the area has been converted to a bustling neighborhood of art galleries, high-rise condominiums, restaurants and boutique shops.

This neighborhood is known, too, for its brew pubs, with several dotting its streets and more opening seemingly every day. Coffee shops, tea shops, bars and bakeries also spice up this slice of Oregon.

If you want to live here, you'll most likely buy into a condominium or apartment building. Most of the homes for sale here are in multifamily buildings. And the price tags can be high, with several of these units running for more than $1 million. If you search, though, you can also find units for under $320,000.

Madras

Located about 11 miles from Culver and 38 from Bend in the center of the state, Madras is known as The Basin because it sits in an oval-shaped valley. If your idea of adventure is more hiking than barhopping, Madras might be a good choice for you. This area is known for its biking, golfing, fishing and hiking.

And if you want to treat your eyes? You can gaze at the Cascade Mountains all year long. Weather is usually a positive, too, as Madras sits in a semi-arid region of the state, not as dry as a desert but not overly wet, either.

Madras isn't overly large, with a population of 7,683 as of July 1, 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's also affordable. It's possible to find single-family homes here for under $300,000.

La Grande

Like festivals, outdoor activities and cultural events? You might consider buying in La Grande. Located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Mountains, La Grande is home to several major festivals each year, including the Eastern Oregon Film Festival and the Crossing the Blues arts festival. It is also home to the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra.

La Grande comes with stunning scenery, too, mostly of the mountains, with the city close to the Blue and Wallowa mountains. This makes La Grande a popular destination for campers, snowmobilers, skiers, cyclists and hikers.

The population of La Grande stood at 13,158 as of July 1, 2021, making it the third-largest city in eastern Oregon.

If you're looking for an affordable home, you can find it in La Grande: The median price of homes sold here in September of 2022 was $260,000.

Top Places To Live In Oregon For Families

Oregon features many communities with low crime rates, highly rated public schools, large homes and family-friendly parks and green space. Yes, Oregon is a good place for families.

Ashland

About 16 miles north of the California border, Ashland is nestled in Jackson County at the base of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. It's known for its outdoor recreation, including the well-known Mt. Ashland Ski Area. If your family is the outdoorsy type, Ashland might be a good choice.

But there's also theaters, restaurants, art galleries and shops here. Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and is known for its arts scene.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Ashland's population was 21,607 as of July 1, 2021. Homes here sell at a variety of price points. If you are looking for a starter home, you might find one for under $450,000. But homes here also routinely sell for $700,000 and up.

Beaverton

Located in the Tualatin Valley, Beaverton is located just 7 miles west of downtown Portland. Families moving here, then, can take advantage of the amenities of a big city with the more leisurely pace of a smaller community.

Not that Beaverton is tiny: Nearly 100,000 residents call the city home. Its public schools earn good grades, and the community is a diverse one, with one in three residents here identifying as a person of color.

There's plenty to do here, too. Beaverton boasts more than 100 parks, 30 miles of hiking trails and a network of bike paths encompassing 25 miles. There's downtown Beaverton, too, with its restaurants and boutique shops.

The median sales price of homes sold in Beaverton in September of 2022 was $546,106. A total of 344 homes were for sale in Beaverton in July, with homes selling in an average of 28 days during the month.

The Bottom Line

There are communities for every type of buyer who wants to call Oregon home, with towns appealing to younger buyers, families, those looking to live in big cities and those searching for a more peaceful community. If you’re ready to hunt for a new residence in Oregon, turn to Rocket Homes to help.