Cost of Living in Oregon: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Oregon? doxo breaks down key insights about Oregon’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Oregon pays $2,363 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Oregon’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Oregon ranks as the 14th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Oregon is ranked as the 14th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $28,353 per year, Oregon’s household expenses, on average, are 11% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Oregon households spend 36% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Oregon is 111.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,363 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 111
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #14
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 36%
- Compared to the National Average: 11% higher
Oregon Household Expenses are 11% Higher Than the National Average
The average Oregon household pays $2,363 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Oregon is $91, compared to the national average of $85, making it 7% higher than average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Oregon residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,746, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 26% more expensive.
Average Oregon Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Oregon Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Oregon Percent +/- National Average |
| Mortgage | $1,746 | $1,402 | 26% higher |
| Rent | $1,381 | $1,300 | 6% higher |
| Auto Loan | $486 | $496 | 2% lower |
| Utilities | $402 | $362 | 11% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $215 | $209 | 3% higher |
| Health Insurance | $135 | $114 | 28% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $112 | $121 | 7% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $130 | $122 | 7% higher |
| Life Insurance | $98 | $87 | 13% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $91 | $85 | 7% higher |
| Total | $2,363 | $2,126 | 11% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
West Linn has the highest cost of living in Oregon for household bills
Residents of West Linn pay the highest household bills in the state of Oregon, at an average of $3,103 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for West Linn is 146, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 46% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in West Linn makeup 26% of the average annual household income of $143,538.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Oregon Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | West Linn | $143,538 | $3,103 | 146 | 46% higher | 26% |
| 2 | Lake Oswego | $127,245 | $3,095 | 146 | 46% higher | 29% |
| 3 | Sherwood | $122,648 | $2,843 | 134 | 34% higher | 28% |
| 4 | Portland | $91,346 | $2,758 | 130 | 30% higher | 36% |
| 5 | Beaverton | $92,198 | $2,726 | 138 | 38% higher | 35% |
| 6 | Wilsonville | $84,512 | $2,696 | 127 | 27% higher | 38% |
| 7 | Happy Valley | $100,185 | $2,651 | 125 | 25% higher | 32% |
| 8 | Corvallis | $65,119 | $2,613 | 123 | 23% higher | 48% |
| 9 | Hood River | $83,791 | $2,602 | 122 | 22% higher | 37% |
| 10 | Molalla | $84,456 | $2,602 | 122 | 22% higher | 37% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Ontario has the lowest cost of living in Oregon for household bills
Out of 64 cities, Ontario is the most affordable place in Oregon, with residents paying $1,647 on average for household bills, accounting for 44% of annual income of $45,110. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Ontario is 77, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 23% below the national average.
La Grande is the second most affordable city in Oregon, with residents paying $1,717 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Oregon are Baker City ($1,741), Klamath Falls ($1,765) and Florence ($1,824).
10 Most Affordable Oregon Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 55 | Central Point | $77,810 | $1,913 | 90 | 10% lower | 30% |
| 56 | Junction City | $73,168 | $1,905 | 90 | 10% lower | 31% |
| 57 | Eagle Point | $77,608 | $1,876 | 88 | 12% lower | 29% |
| 58 | Milton Freewater | $52,699 | $1,866 | 88 | 12% lower | 42% |
| 59 | Roseburg | $59,306 | $1,840 | 87 | 13% lower | 37% |
| 60 | Florence | $59,433 | $1,824 | 86 | 14% lower | 37% |
| 61 | Klamath Falls | $58,133 | $1,765 | 83 | 17% lower | 36% |
| 62 | Baker City | $55,361 | $1,741 | 82 | 18% lower | 38% |
| 63 | La Grande | $58,821 | $1,717 | 81 | 19% lower | 35% |
| 64 | Ontario | $45,110 | $1,647 | 77 | 23% lower | 44% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Oregon with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.