Oregon City 86 Exceptional
Oregon City Livability #13 ranked city in Oregon#308 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon City

PROS
  • Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

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What's it like Living in Oregon City?

Located in the state of Oregon, Oregon City is a medium-sized city with a population of 37,057 residents. With a population density of 3,688 people per square mile, Oregon City is well above the nation's average density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Oregon City is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Oregon City offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Oregon City, Oregon. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Oregon City and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, housing and other important metrics.

Oregon City has a livability score of 86/100 and is ranked #12 in Oregon and #217 in the USA. Based on this score, Oregon City would be considered a very livable city! Oregon City has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we examine each of the categories on their own, we see that Oregon City ranks well for amenities (A+), crime (B), employment (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Oregon City does not have favorable grades for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Oregon City, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Oregon City undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Willamette Falls, End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, and Williamette Falls.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Oregon City market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Oregon City meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Oregon City. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Oregon City are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Oregon City come in at $382,100, which is 54.6% higher than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oregon City, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 2.2% higher than the Oregon average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Oregon City

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Oregon City?

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Compare Oregon City, OR Livability

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      Oregon City transportation information

      Statistic Oregon City Oregon National
      Average one way commute30min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.9%71.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.5%10.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%4.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%2.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%3.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%6.4%4.6%
      Source: The Oregon City, OR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).