If Tillamook’s cheese, Beaverton’s Nike shoes, and the University of Oregon’s Mighty Ducks are just a few of your favorite things then you should consider spending your retirement years in The Beaver State.
And lucky for you, we’ve done the homework for you. We created a list of the best places to retire in Oregon for 2026.
If Coos Bay’s emerald coast, Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts, or Mt. Hood’s majestic views don’t seal the deal, then the fact that the state’s best places to retire are super affordable, fun, and safe should do the trick. That is why many of Oregon’s best places to retire are also some of the state’s safest.
Did we mention that these Oregon gems are also super close to an international airport? If you choose one of Oregon’s best places to retire, you’ll get to save money on that Winnebago and fly your family to you.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Oregon For 2026
What’s the best place to retire in Oregon for 2026? According to the latest FBI and Census data, the best place to retire in Oregon is Newport.
Want to know more? Grab an Oregon City Pioneer Pale Ale, throw on your favorite Ducks jersey, and read on to see how we ranked the best places to retire in Oregon.
Why did Newport take the top spot? And where are Portland and Eugene?
For more Oregon state reading:
- Best Places To Live In Oregon
- Cheapest Places To Live In Oregon
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Oregon
- Best Places To Retire In America
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Oregon For 2026
/10
Population: 10,583
Median Income: $60,568
Median Home Price: $445,960
Median Rent: $1,241
Distance to Closest Airport: 28 miles
More on Newport: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 18,134
Median Income: $100,989
Median Home Price: $590,607
Median Rent: $1,542
Distance to Closest Airport: 22 miles
More on Canby: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,109
Median Income: $68,007
Median Home Price: $474,605
Median Rent: $1,239
Distance to Closest Airport: 71 miles
More on Astoria: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 19,216
Median Income: $86,058
Median Home Price: $418,192
Median Rent: $1,364
Distance to Closest Airport: 1 miles
More on Central Point: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 21,392
Median Income: $86,892
Median Home Price: $519,433
Median Rent: $1,598
Distance to Closest Airport: 10 miles
More on Milwaukie: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 40,381
Median Income: $141,549
Median Home Price: $882,924
Median Rent: $2,139
Distance to Closest Airport: 13 miles
More on Lake Oswego: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,977
Median Income: $91,250
Median Home Price: $517,792
Median Rent: $1,740
Distance to Closest Airport: 14 miles
More on Gladstone: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 39,311
Median Income: $59,646
Median Home Price: $398,231
Median Rent: $1,217
Distance to Closest Airport: 23 miles
More on Grants Pass: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 15,917
Median Income: $62,614
Median Home Price: $389,438
Median Rent: $993
Distance to Closest Airport: 69 miles
More on The Dalles: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 21,259
Median Income: $68,028
Median Home Price: $551,385
Median Rent: $1,387
Distance to Closest Airport: 15 miles
More on Ashland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Beaver State for 2026
To create our ranking of the best places in Oregon to retire, we used Saturday Night Science. We analyzed Census data to find all places in the Beaver State — 372 cities and towns.
We then narrowed it down to places with at least 10,000 people that weren’t townships. This left us with 48 places from across the state.
For these 48, we looked at the following criteria taken from the Census, the FBI’s Crime Report, National Weather Service, and OpenFlights:
- Low cost of living as measured by rent
- Low crime
- Things to do (Museums, Colleges, and Libraries in town)
- Nice weather
- Distance to the closest international airport
- Other retirees (High median age)
We then ranked each of these places for each criterion from one to 48, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Newport, with the lowest average rank, was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second career.
The report has been updated for 2026. This list reflects our eleventh time ranking the best places to retire in Oregon.
Summary: Maybe You’re Not Ready To Retire In Oregon Yet…
So there you have it, the best place to retire in Oregon goes to Newport.
The best places to retire in Oregon are Newport, Canby, Astoria, Central Point, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, Gladstone, Grants Pass, The Dalles, and Ashland.
If you’re not ready to hang up your office apparel yet, then these places might be up your alley:
- Redmond
- Eugene
- Hermiston
For more Oregon reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Oregon
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport | 10,583 | $60,568 | $445,960 | $1,241 |
| 2 | Canby | 18,134 | $100,989 | $590,607 | $1,542 |
| 3 | Astoria | 10,109 | $68,007 | $474,605 | $1,239 |
| 4 | Central Point | 19,216 | $86,058 | $418,192 | $1,364 |
| 5 | Milwaukie | 21,392 | $86,892 | $519,433 | $1,598 |
| 6 | Lake Oswego | 40,381 | $141,549 | $882,924 | $2,139 |
| 7 | Gladstone | 11,977 | $91,250 | $517,792 | $1,740 |
| 8 | Grants Pass | 39,311 | $59,646 | $398,231 | $1,217 |
| 9 | The Dalles | 15,917 | $62,614 | $389,438 | $993 |
| 10 | Ashland | 21,259 | $68,028 | $551,385 | $1,387 |