Oregon is one of the best places to live in the United States with a moderate climate, not too much rain, beautiful scenery, and great natural resources.
The state’s economy is based on agriculture, forestry, fishing, and tourism. Oregon has a large number of small businesses that generate jobs for people in the state.
The state is among the most expensive places to live in the United States. It has some of the highest housing costs in the country and a median home value of over $518,000, which is almost double the national average.
The median household income in Oregon was $60,224 as of 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Why Is Oregon so Expensive?
There are several reasons for this. First, there is high demand for housing in Oregon. The population of the state has been increasing steadily for years, and there is simply not enough housing to meet the demand. As a result, rents and home prices have skyrocketed.
Property taxes in Oregon are among the highest in the nation. This is due in part to the high cost of living in the state, as well as the relative scarcity of land.
Construction costs in Oregon are also very high. This is largely due to the fact that there are very few vacant lots available for development. Oregon is home to many large companies, which Drive up prices by competing for scarce resources.
The tech economy in Oregon is booming, which has led to an influx of high-paying jobs and an increase in the cost of living.
Overall, there are many factors that contribute to the high cost of living in Oregon, let’s dig deeper into them:
1. High Demand for Housing
Oregon is notorious for being an expensive state in the US. While there are many factors that contribute to this, one of the most significant is the high demand for housing.
Due to the state’s booming economy and growing population, there is a constant need for new housing. However, the supply of land and existing structures is limited, driving up prices. As a result, many people are forced to pay far more than they can afford for a place to live.
The median home price in Oregon is over $518,000 and rent prices have also reached record highs. Unfortunately, this trend shows no signs of slowing down, which means that living in Oregon is likely to remain expensive for the foreseeable future.
2. High Property Tax
According to a recent study, Oregon is the fifth most expensive state in the country, with only residents of Bend paying more in total housing costs. A big factor in these high costs is property tax.
In Oregon, the median home value is $518,000, and the average effective property tax rate is 0.90%%. That may not sound like much, but it adds up to an annual property tax bill of almost $5,000.
With such a high property tax burden, it’s no wonder that many Oregon residents are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
3. High Construction Cost
The cost of construction is often one of the most important factors in determining the cost of living in a state. In Oregon, the cost of construction is one of the major factors that contribute to the state’s high cost of living.
The average cost of construction in Oregon is $240 per square foot for a high-end customized home, which is significantly higher than the national average of $200 per square foot. The high cost of construction is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of labor and materials in the region.
In addition, Oregon has some of the most stringent building codes in the country, which adds to the cost of construction. As a result, the high cost of construction is one of the major factors that make Oregon one of the most expensive states in the United States.
4. Presence of Larger Companies
Another important factor is the presence of fortune 500 companies in Oregon. These companies drive up prices by bidding against each other for office space and workers.
As a result, small businesses and individuals are often priced out of the market. In addition, the presence of these companies also attracts high-income workers to the state, further driving up prices. The cost of housing, food, and other necessities has also increased as a result.
While the presence of large companies can be a boon to the state’s economy, it also comes at a significant cost to its residents.
5. Booming Tech Economy
One of the significant factors that make Oregon so expensive is the booming tech economy. Multnomah County, which Oregon is a part of, has the third-highest concentration of tech jobs in the nation.
The average tech salary in the Oregon metro area is $93,110, which is more than the median household income in Oregon. This influx of high-paying tech jobs has driven up the cost of housing, as well as the cost of other basic necessities like food and transportation.
Many of the new tech workers are not from Oregon, and they are often willing to pay more for housing than local residents. As a result, the rising cost of living in Oregon is one of the significant factors that makes it one of the most expensive states in the country.
6. Proximity to Other Most Expensive States
Proximity to other major states is one of the significant factors that make Oregon so expensive. The state is close to both Washington state and California, which drives up the cost of living.
While this can be frustrating for residents, it also makes Oregon a vibrant and exciting place to live. There are always new people to meet and things to do, and the state’s proximity to other major expensive metropolitan areas means that residents have easy access to all the amenities they could ever want or need.
7. High Gas Prices
One of the things that make Oregon so expensive is the high cost of gas. According to a recent study, Oregon drivers spend an average of $4.745 per gallon on gas, which is almost a dollar more than the national average.
This high cost can be attributed to a number of factors, including the state’s environmental regulations, the distance between major cities, and the lack of competition among gas station owners.
Whatever the reasons, there’s no doubt that high gas prices are one of the factors that make Oregon a costly place to live.
8. Low Crime Rate
As any state-dweller knows, the cost of living can vary widely from one place to another. In recent years, Oregon has become one of the most expensive states in the country, due in part to its low crime rate.
While this may seem like a counterintuitive factor, it actually makes perfect sense. A safe state is a desirable state, and as demand for housing in Oregon has increased, so has the price.
In addition, low crime rates tend to attract high-earning residents and businesses, further driving up prices.
10. Oregon is a Very Popular Tourist Destination
Oregon is home to a number of unique and interesting attractions, including the world-famous Astoria Column, Boardman state park, Columbia river gorge, Silver Falls State Park, Peter Iredale Shipwreck, Shanghai Tunnels in Astoria, and Witches Castle. The state has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.
Oregon is situated in a beautiful setting, with the Willamette River running through the state and Mt. Hood towering in the distance. All these make Oregon an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world.
Unfortunately, this popularity also makes Oregon one of the most expensive states in the United States. Hotel rooms, restaurant meals, and souvenirs are all priced at a premium due to the high demand from tourists.