Gresham, Oregon, known as "The Gateway to the Columbia Gorge," is a dynamic and growing city located east of Portland. With its beautiful natural surroundings, vibrant arts scene, and strong local economy, Gresham offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban charm and modern amenities makes living in Gresham an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Gresham enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Gresham Japanese Garden and the Springwater Corridor Trail are popular destinations for hiking, biking, and picnicking. The annual Gresham Arts Festival and the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival are events that celebrate Gresham's vibrant community spirit and cultural richness.
Gresham's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, retail, and education. The city's strategic location near major transportation routes provides residents with easy access to job opportunities throughout the Portland metropolitan area. Major employers in the area include Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center and Gresham-Barlow School District.
The housing market in Gresham includes a variety of options, from single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Gresham is well-developed, with access to TriMet buses and the MAX light rail, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Gresham's climate features mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Gresham offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
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
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.
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.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Gresham, Oregon is a moderately-sized city with a population of 114,458 residents. With a population density of 4,910 people per square mile, Gresham is well above the nation's average density level. According to the most recent Census, 77% of Gresham residents are White, 4% Black and 4% Asian. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Gresham your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Gresham, Oregon could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Gresham, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, employment and more.
Gresham has a livability score of 81 out of 100 and is ranked #48 in Oregon and #1,145 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Gresham ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Gresham has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Gresham ranks very well for amenities (A+), employment (B-) and housing (A). There are some categories that Gresham does not rank well for, including: crime (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
If you're considering living in Gresham, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Gresham provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Gresham: Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, Gresham Golf Course, and Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Gresham apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Gresham 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 Gresham. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Gresham are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Gresham come in at $583,356, which is 31.9% higher than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Gresham, the home price to income ratio is 6.7, which is 19.6% higher than the Oregon average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Gresham | Oregon | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.9% | 71.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.2% | 10.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.2% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 2.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 3.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 6.4% | 4.6% |
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