C-
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
60%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Gresham Oregon National
Cost of living124111100
Goods & Services106105100
Groceries111109100
Health care110105100
Housing160123100
Transportation126117100
Utilities9696100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Gresham, OR

The cost of living in Gresham affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Gresham is 124, which is 24% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Gresham may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Gresham falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Gresham cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 59.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Gresham, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 10.5% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Gresham?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Gresham and this is how they responded. 17% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 83% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Gresham Affordable?

Is Gresham an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Gresham, the median home price is 72.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 29.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Gresham come in at $58,250, which is 5.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gresham?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Gresham, the transportation index is 26.3% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Gresham, the utilities index is 3.8% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Gresham, the healthcare costs are 9.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Gresham, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gresham is 11% higher than the Oregon average
  • The cost of living in Gresham is 24% higher than the national average
  • Gresham housing is 60% higher than the national average
  • Oregon general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Oregon state income tax is 111% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Gresham

See all the best places to live around Gresham

Compare Gresham, OR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$82,301$6,858$1,920$2,469
      Renters$38,073$3,173$888$1,142
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Gresham, OR, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Gresham, the median monthly income is $82,301 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,920 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $38,073, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $888 on monthly rental expenses.

      Oregon Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oregon 0% 0%

      Oregon Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oregon 4.75% 9.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.22$24.2669.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.58$45.5633.0%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.5%
      Movie $12.98$12.136.9%
      Bowling $18.31$18.001.7%

      Groceries

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.03$1.5728.8%
      Milk $5.04$4.677.9%
      Potatoes $4.39$4.9311.1%
      Pizza $12.21$12.091.0%
      Beer $12.07$10.4115.9%

      Health Care

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.94$125.685.0%
      Doctor $188.49$135.7838.8%
      Dentist $115.08$113.291.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.58$10.658.7%
      Lipitor $386.53$468.6017.5%

      Housing

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Home Price $318,300.00$184,700.0072.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,332.86$2,346.6942.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,233.00$949.0029.9%

      Transportation

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.16$3.4620.3%
      Tire Balancing $84.45$59.9240.9%

      Utilities

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.73$193.995.8%
      Phone $190.36$192.251.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Johnson City, OR5398514.6%
      Wood Village, OR4,0691099.0%
      Walnut Grove, WA9,32411313.0%
      Fairview, OR9,38212322.7%
      Hazel Dell, WA21,83012323.3%
      Gresham, OR110,45612423.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lakeland, FL110,335964.4%
      Miami Gardens, FL110,76711010.0%
      Everett, WA110,84013433.5%
      Richmond, CA110,05115656.5%
      West Palm Beach, FL111,00611515.2%
      Gresham, OR110,45612423.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.