10 Best Places to Live in Oregon in 2024

Do you dream of moving to Oregon, a destination known for its natural beauty and exciting culture? The Beaver State boasts incredible scenery, diverse cities and towns, a growing economy, a thriving art scene, and tons of outdoor activities, making it one of the most desirable places to live. In particular, it is one of the best places to live in the U.S. for young adults.

Apartment renters who plan on putting down roots here will find plenty of great areas to choose from when looking for budget-friendly apartment rentals; and whether you’re searching for a quiet mountain town or a fast-paced city lifestyle, Oregon is sure to have something that perfectly fits your needs. So read on as we bring you the 10 best places to live in Oregon!

10 Best Places to Live in Oregon

1. Portland

• Population: 635,067
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,428
• Median household income: $78,476
• Walk score: 67
• Transit score: 49
• Bike score: 83

Many say that Portland is one of the best places to live in the world, as it boasts trendy neighborhoods, bike culture, stunning views, and support for the arts. Portland’s neighborhoods offer something for everyone, from the Pearl District's cobblestone streets and iconic bookstores to the Alberta Arts District’s galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that keep residents busy all weekend long.

The temperature in Portland, Oregon, stays temperate year-round. Of course, of the Oregon cities, Portland is more than just a town for passionate creatives, as the city is also home to 12,591 acres of public parkland and open space for relaxing and exploring. From boutique brewpubs to major employers like Nike, Adidas, and Wells Fargo, it’s easy to see why the city's job market is thriving. According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, among the vast population of Portland, 22,647 workers commute by bike. That’ll also help drive down the cost of living in Portland.

Read up on everything you need to know before moving to Portland.

2. Eugene

• Population: 177,923
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,451
• Median household income: $55,776
• Walk score: 95
• Transit score: 56
• Bike score: 100

Outdoors lovers flock to Eugene, Oregon, for its stunning views of the Willamette Valley and endless opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and cycling to explore its landscape and rivers. Eugene's coastal climate is unusual for the Pacific Northwest, offering a more temperate temperature throughout the year that rarely dips below the 40s or gets above the mid-80s.

Considering the cost of living in Oregon can get high, especially in more populated cities like Portland, Eugene may be the cheapest place to live in Oregon on our list. Soak up the great outdoors at Hendricks Park for 80 acres’ worth of walking trails and an expansive Rhododendron Garden, or explore the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Fifth Street Public Market for boutiques and pubs. If that’s not enough, Eugene offers a decent job market for skilled professionals, with employers like the University of Oregon, the Eugene School District, and PeaceHealth Medical Group.

3. Salem

• Population: 175,472
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,304
• Median household income: $62,185
• Walk score: 66
• Transit score: 37
• Bike score: 76

Settle into the state capital of Salem, one of the Oregon towns celebrated for its agricultural epicenter with stunning orchards, grapes, and vegetables along rolling terrain. Salem is one of the most beautiful places in Oregon to call home. Despite Salem's small-town feel, you can still join the cultural scene with classic cinema and live theater at the local Elsinore Theatre, acres of lush gardens and parks, and the Willamette Valley Vineyards, which aren't far away. In addition, day trips to the Oregon coast, gallery hopping, and hitting the vintage boutiques are popular Salem pastimes.

Regarding employment, education and health services are popular choices, and many residents work at the public school district, Salem Health, Willamette University, and Chemeketa Community College.

4. Corvallis

• Population: 60,956
• Starting two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,040
• Median household income: $58,315
• Walk score: 47
• Transit score: 29
• Bike score: 85

Corvallis is debatably the best place to live in Oregon. It attracts higher academics to the rolling Willamette Valley, as the city is home to Oregon State University. Living in Oregon, specifically in Corvallis, is like living in a national park with mountain views, dense forests, and many Audubon-approved birding spots.

Beyond the great outdoors, the area is also home to six microbreweries and over a dozen wineries. Make sure to pack up produce from the Corvallis Farmers Market and head over to the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife watching and hiking. As for work, Corvallis offers a growing job market, with major employers like Oregon State University, HP Inc., and Kforce.

5. Bend

• Population: 103,254
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,598
• Median household income: $74,253
• Walk score: 32
• Transit score: 19
• Bike score: 53

Visitors often become longtime residents of Bend for its prime snowboarding, rock climbing, and Cascade Range views. While the Bend, Oregon, population is nowhere near that of Portland, it is still among the biggest cities in Oregon. Even more, the Deschutes River stretches through the city's center, where you can see people rafting or navigating SUP boards during the summer months.

While it might surprise you, Bend is among the sunniest cities in Oregon, getting over 260 days of no or low cloud coverage. The Sunriver, Oregon, weather expands to Bend, making it one of the most beautiful places to live in Oregon year-round. And even though it’s steeped in the state’s natural beauty, you’ll find plenty of breweries, bakeries, and taco stands in Bend. As for work, tourism is strong in this city, with careers in hospitality and related outdoor recreation. However, despite the steady flow of beer, St. Charles Family Care Clinic is the city's largest employer, making Bend an excellent city for healthcare professionals.

6. Beaverton

• Population: 97,053
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,697
• Median household income: $82,380
• Walk score: 52
• Transit score: 35
• Bike score: 67

Beaverton offers the best of both worlds as a suburb of Portland with its low-key urban vibe and a mix of gorgeous residential homes and luxury apartment buildings. The climate is similar to many places in Oregon, including Portland, providing an average of 41 inches of rain and 141 sunny days per year.

Luckily, you don't need to commute to Portland to find cultural opportunities, as Beaverton offers its own entertainment centers, award-winning restaurants, outdoor plays in the warmer months, and multicultural festivals. Beaverton is also home to the famous "Silicon Forest," where high-tech firms pepper the corridor leading to Hillsboro, including Nike, IBM, Shari’s Restaurant, Columbia, and Tektronix. Even if your job isn't based in Beaverton, you may want to consider the move as it's one of the best cities for remote workers.

7. Hillsboro

• Population: 107,299
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,856
• Median household income: $91,540
• Walk score: 44
• Transit score: 37
• Bike score: 72

Hillsboro is a Pacific Northwest gem, home to the oldest and largest winery in the country and nine sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including Old Scotch Church and Imbrie Farm. Hillsboro gets slightly less rain than Beaverton and Portland, with 39 inches of rain and 142 sunny days yearly.

Nature lovers have plenty to explore in Hillsboro, including the historic Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, a hot spot for locals to hike and enjoy wildlife. Beaverton may have Nike, but Hillsboro also attracts giants like Intel at the other end of “Silicon Forest.” Plus, the city is home to over 13% of Oregon's manufacturing jobs.

8. West Linn

• Population: 26,931
• Starting two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,700
• Median household income: $124,098
• Walk score: 34
• Transit score: 21
• Bike score: 41

West Linn is a smaller city in the Portland metropolitan region with a small-town vibe and proximity to essentials like banks, grocery stores, and restaurants. However, you’ll find that renters are among the minority within West Linn, and duplex apartment units, single-family homes, townhomes, and units within apartment communities comprise the bulk of rental options on the market.

Overall, West Linn is a great place to live for families who are attracted to the thought of putting down roots in a suburban area with a highly rated school system. However, young professionals or those looking for the diversity and culture of living in a larger, more urban city should consider other options.

9. Lake Oswego

• Population: 40,108
• Median two-bedroom apartment rent: $2,058
• Median household income: $120,585
• Walk score: 37
• Transit score: 23
• Bike score: 47

Located approximately eight miles south of Portland, Lake Oswego is a small city with a considerable nature presence surrounding the vast Oswego Lake, which plays a massive role in residents’ lives. Many residents enjoy boat rides, kayaking, fishing, and swimming, and out-of-towners from Portland looking to connect with nature without straying too far away from urban comforts often make the day trip.

Although Lake Oswego is a smaller city, everything you need is within a short drive — from shops to good eats. For families with young children looking for a place to settle down and put down roots, Lake Oswego is one of the best Portland suburbs to consider, thanks to its excellent school system, high safety rating, and many parks.

Find apartments for rent in Lake Oswego.

10. Milwaukie

• Population: 21,375
• Starting two-bedroom apartment rent: $1,213
• Median household income: $73,351
• Walk score: 51
• Transit score: 41
• Bike score: 70

As another Portland suburb, Milwaukie offers the best of both worlds regarding suburban and big-city living, whether you want varied entertainment and recreation options, a delicious meal at one of the city’s many restaurants, or to work up a sweat at the local park. The city is steadily improving and working to cement itself as one of the best Portland suburbs, with a solid public transportation system and new residential buildings popping up left and right.

Regarding affordability, rent prices in Milwaukie are right around the middle. They aren’t cheap, but they’re nowhere near as expensive as units located in the heart of Portland. Not only is Milwaukie one of the best cities to live in Oregon, but it is also one of the safest cities in Oregon.

Find Your New Home in Oregon Today

The best places to live in Oregon all have a few things in common. The outdoors is a wonderland, the microbreweries are plentiful, and the views are glorious. From urban centers to historic towns, Oregon offers something for everyone. If these places seem too pricey for you, consider the cheapest places to live in Oregon!

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