The 5 Most Beautiful Places to Live In Oregon That Are Still Affordable

1. Coos Bay

The lovely Coos Bay is one of the most affordable places to reside in Oregon. It also has many perks to calling it home. One of those places is Shores Acres State Park, where the plants have all the power. Check out what’s blooming there. There are plenty of things to keep the nature-loving person busy: Cape Arago State Park, Mingus Park, and Elliot State Forest, to name a few.

If you love museums and cool history, check out the Coos Art Museum, Coos History Museum, Oregon Coastal Historic Railway, Marshfield Sun Printing Museum, or take a stroll on the boardwalk. If fishing is your type of fun, check out one of the many charter boats available.

The housing market is still better in Coos Bay than most places in the U.S., however the rental prices are on the rise so act quick.

2. Baker City

The Baker City area is filled with breweries, wineries, and distilleries. There are also many unique vintage, thrift, and antique shops in the town. You can check out the Baker Heritage Museum or the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. If you want to go on a three-day camping trip, check out Go Wild: American Adventures, which could be a fun way to get to know the area. Another excellent way to check out the awesome scenery is by taking the Sumpter Valley Railroad’s two-hour trip. Want to go on your own scenic trip? Jump on the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and take your time through the 218-mile loop.

The housing in Baker City is affordable if you are looking to buy a home. The median average housing cost is $170,000, though rental prices are increasing as the area’s popularity does the same.

3. Hermiston

The city of Hermiston is the largest in eastern Oregon, and with that comes plenty of “big city” fun with plenty of shopping and restaurant choices. Hermiston is located snugly in the Columbia River Basin and has plenty of parks to explore if you love nature. Hat Rock State Park is an excellent place to visit, as is the Hat Rock Monument. It will take some time to check out all 700 acres in the park. Butte Park is a nice place to relax, and the Oxbow Trail never disappoints.

The housing costs, like everywhere else in the U.S., are on the rise, but they are still considerably lower in Hermiston than most other places. In fact, the city is one of the least expensive places in Oregon for housing and rentals. The median cost of a home here is $193,800, which is still fairly low. Rent is also on the rise but is still fairly low for now.

4. Dallas

The city of Dallas is more of a small town than a city. It’s located just 15 miles outside of the state capital, Salem, and is equipped with a charming downtown with plenty of locally owned shops. It’s located in Willamette Valley, known for its many wineries offering tastings. The coast is about an hour and a half away, and there are several parks in Dallas. The city park has a playground, skate park, and basketball court.

Dallas is one of the most affordable housing options in Oregon. The median average home price is $276,800, and the rentals are 40% before the country’s average cost.

5. Woodburn

Woodburn is another affordable option when living in Oregon. The area has plenty to offer and loads of whimsical joy that it brings. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is majestic, as is Schreiner’s Iris Garden in nearby Salem and Adelman Peony Gardens, which is also in Salem. In nearby Aurora, take a hot air balloon ride at Portland’s Hot Air Balloons or spend the day cruising around seeing the sights and head over to Gallon House Covered Bridge. There are also several pioneer villages nearby that are pretty neat.

Woodburn is about 20% less than the national average with rentals and the housing market is in the mid range with the median cost at $241, 300.