The 10 Best Places To Live In Oregon In 2023

The 10 best places to live In Oregon for 2023

This Sherwood might not be protected by Robin Hood, but it does have one of the lowest crime rates in Oregon: and this, folks, is one of the reasons it’s the best place to live in The Beaver State. This, and so much more.

Sherwood scored low in only two categories on our SnackAbility scale–diversity and commute times. On the flipside, Sherwood’s high marks in jobs, housing, education, and amenities definitely make up for slightly longer commute times from one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest to anywhere in the United States. We’re pretty sure when you strip down the numbers and realize that the median home price in Sherwood is only $454,400 and that the combined household income here is upwards of $104,651/year, an extra couple of minutes to PortlandPortland will feel like a walk in the park.

Speaking of parks, did we mention that this is one of the best places in Oregon for families? Yes, not only is Sherwood a short distance from the Pacific Coast, it has 15 parks inside its city limits–picture yourself biking Pioneer Park or taking the family dog to play at the Sherwood Dog Park. In terms of education, Sherwood has one of the highest graduation rates and one of the greatest percentages of students in the state who go to college.

More on Sherwood: Real Estate | Cost Of Living

If Oregon had a best city ‘Walk of Fame,” Lake Oswego would already have a spot front and center as this place in Clackamas County continues to be the #2 best place to live in Oregon year after year.

Lake Oswego’s multiple intriguing features such as a lake in the middle of the town (hence the name), its cost of living, and low crime rate, have made this place the envy of anyone who doesn’t currently live here–at least this is what the city’s 40,390 residents are saying…..

So, when we crunched the city’s SnackAbility numbers, we were not surprised to find that the people who live here make a combined household income of $120,585/year. And, folks, you will need this type of cash if you want to be able to afford the #2 highest median home price in the state. However, with the 32nd lowest unemployment rate at 5.0% should put your mind and your wallet at ease. You will also sleep well at night knowing that Lake Oswego is one of the safest places in the state.

More on Lake Oswego: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Go ahead, check out the rest of Oregon, but the 3rd best place to live in the state, West Linn, knows that when you’re done traveling The Beaver State’s concrete rivers you will choose to settle down inside its city limits. How does West Linn know? Well, it has consistently been putting up some of the best numbers in the state for safety and education. In fact, it scored a perfect 10/10 on our Snackbility Scale.

West Linn is definitely not one of the cheapest places in the state, but economic trends tell us that if you want a place with a low crime rate (we’re talking 63% below the national average safe) and great schools (Bolton Middle School and West Linn High School are both National Blue Ribbon Schools) your cost of living is going to be quite a bit more. Like, the 2nd highest median home price in the state at $572,000 more. And, if keeping up with the “West Linn Joneses” is your shtick, just know that you’re going to have to make at least $124,098/year.

More on West Linn: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Located in Benton County, Philomath is a hidden gem that ranks as the number 4 best place to live in the state. Philomath’s affordable living, beautiful surroundings, and nearby attractions make it one of Oregon’s best places to live.

This charming city is known for its low cost of living and affordable real estate. With a median home price of $278,500, Philomath offers you the opportunity to own property at a fraction of the cost compared to other places in Oregon. Philomath is just a short drive away from Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, providing residents with access to cultural events, sports games, and educational opportunities.

More on Philomath: Real Estate | Crime Report

Another Portland-burb, Milwaukie is the 5th best place to live in Oregon.

Located along the banks of the Willamette River, The Dogwood City of the West keeps cranking out the numbers in the right direction. Milwaukie is not only one of the safest places on our list with its low crime rate (there were only 264 crimes reported this past year and a large majority of them were property related), it meets and exceeds expectations for its overall cost of living. When we looked at the city’s median cost for things like health services, groceries, housing, and utilities, we found that Milwaukie’s numbers are right in line with the rest of the state. In fact, if you want to buy a home in Milwaukie you can get one for $388,700–it is the 13th best place to buy a home in Oregon. The 21,108 residents here also make a lot of money–we’re talking a median household income of $73,351/year.

Milwaukie also scored a 9/10 for amenities on our SnackAbility scale. Top attractions here include–but, are definitely NOT limited to– the year-round fun that can be found at the Kronberg Multi-Use Park. Just think of all the money you’ll save on gas by biking to work!

More on Milwaukie: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

If it’s time to uproot your family with a little spring cleaning, start with a move to Oregon’s 6th best place to live, Tigard. To be honest, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see CNN call Tigard one of the best places to live in the United States with the consistent numbers it puts up year after year.

Why Tigard, you ask? Well, here’s the latest scoop. For one, it’s pretty safe in here. In fact, if it weren’t for a couple of larceny and property crimes Tigard’s crime rate would be one of the lowest on our list. In terms of Tigard’s cost of living, all major services–including health, groceries, and utilities are in line with the state average except for housing. Yes, Tigard has the 9th highest median home price in the state at $456,500 and the median income here is $93,532/year.

Tigard’s walkable downtown has unique shopping and an extensive list of things to keep you and your family safely entertained for days. So, explore Tigard’s downtown for some daytime fun and hit its nightlife circuit when you’re not busy padding your bank account.

More on Tigard: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Central Point is a hidden gem in Jackson County, Oregon, near Oregon Highway 99 and Interstate 5. As the 7th best place to live in Oregon, it offers a high quality of life with an affordable price tag.

Central Point is close to Rogue Valley, with its hiking trails and scenic views, while also being home to the Jackson County Fair, an annual event in July that brings the community together. You can indulge in world-class cheeses at Rogue Creamery or expand your knowledge at the Crater Rock Museum.

More on Central Point: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Bend’s bold startup culture and unbeatable Oregon energy has made it the 8th best place to live in The Beaver State. Some are even going as far to call Bend “A Commuter Town for Silicon Valley” as it’s much cheaper to live here than San Francisco. Incidentally, this influx of people has made Bend one of the fastest growing cities in the state.

Besides strong job opportunities and the state’s 19th best unemployment rate at 4.0%, why are people flocking to Bend? Point blank, Bend has outstanding numbers. The crime rate here is below the state average and below the national average. Basically, Bend is super safe.

And what was once a logging town is now identified as a gateway for many sports, including biking, hiking, and white-water rafting the Deschutes River is also relatively affordable. Homes go for $462,400 here and the Bend’s cost of living is manageable if you make the city’s median income of $74,253/year. Folks, Bend is truly “Living at its best”.

More on Bend: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Scappoose, your 9th best place to live in Oregon ranking is well deserved based on the numbers. In fact, the current crime rate is 60% less than the national average making the city one of the safest places in the state as well. The overall cost of living in Scappoose, however, is slightly higher than the state’s average, but the housing cost managed to slip under the national average. Surprisingly, it has the 24th best median home price in the state and the 7,871 residents make a decent median income at $86,528/year.

And all that money its residents are saving on housing costs, in turn, frees up money to invest into the economy as well as more money to experience the fun stuff that Scappoose has to offer. Like, hiking, biking, or kayaking the Scappoosse Bay River Trail or a weekend trying out new camping equipment along the Columbia River.

Hey Scappoose, keep your eye on the prize–you keep moving up the ranks like you are and maybe next year you’ll be number one.

More on Scappoose: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Beaverton, ranked as the 10th best place to live in Oregon, offers a high quality of life and many attractions for residents and visitors alike. Located in Washington County, Beaverton is known for its low cost of living and median home price, making it one of the best places to settle down.

This city is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Residents can explore the beautiful Tualatin Valley, visit the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, or enjoy a day of golf at the renowned Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. Additionally, Beaverton’s proximity to Portland provides easy access to cultural attractions and great food.

More on Beaverton: Real Estate | Crime Report | Cost Of Living

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Oregon

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them.

We ranked each place in Oregon across a number of criteria from one to 73, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In Oregon”.

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data. You can download the best places data here.

After the dust settled, what was the best place to live in Oregon? That would be Sherwood.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Oregon.

Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Sherwood at the end of the cul-de-sac.