Oregon

Avg COL Index

114

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Oregon is gas, at 16% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 17% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 1.8% over the past year across the 11 cities we track, slower than the 2.7% national change. Grants Pass saw the biggest move (up 3.5%), while Salem was down 0.1%.

City to city

Where you live inside Oregon matters. Typical rent runs from $1,295 in Klamath Falls to $2,218 in Bend, a gap of $923 a month or about $11,076 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 42% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks near the middle of 51 states. Median household income there averages $80,436 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $4.62 a gallon, 16% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $143 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,780 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the West rose 2.4% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.