Damascus 69 Good
Damascus Livability #148 ranked city in Oregon#8,627 ranked city in the USARanks better than 70% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Damascus

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Damascus?

Damascus is a mid-sized city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 11,210 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Damascus residents are White, 5% Asian and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Damascus entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 32 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Damascus, 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 Damascus and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety and other important metrics.

Damascus, OR receives 68 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #145 in Oregon and #8,823 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Damascus has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Damascus. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Damascus has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Damascus is real estate affordability. The median home price for Damascus homes is $844,623, which is 91% higher than the Oregon average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Damascus, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.7, which is 1.8% higher than the Oregon average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Damascus

See all the best places to live around Damascus

How Do You Rate The Livability In Damascus?

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Compare Damascus, OR Livability

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      Damascus transportation information

      Statistic Damascus Oregon National
      Average one way commute32min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.3%71.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%10.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%4.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%2.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%3.9%2.8%
      Working from home10.5%6.4%4.6%
      Source: The Damascus, OR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.