The Dalles 67 Good
The Dalles Livability #175 ranked city in Oregon#10,421 ranked city in the USARanks better than 64% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in The Dalles

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in The Dalles?

The Dalles is a medium-sized city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 15,830 residents. According to the most recent Census, 89% of The Dalles residents are White, 1% Asian and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, The Dalles is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 14 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in The Dalles, 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around The Dalles, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education and more.

The Dalles, OR receives 66 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #165 in Oregon and #10,523 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, The Dalles has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (B) and housing (A+). The Dalles does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and education (D-). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

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, The Dalles has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that The Dalles 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 The Dalles. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in The Dalles are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in The Dalles come in at $398,235, which is 10% lower than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In The Dalles, the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 8.9% lower than the Oregon average.

Best Places to Live in and Around The Dalles

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Compare The Dalles, OR Livability

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      The Dalles transportation information

      Statistic The Dalles Oregon National
      Average one way commute14min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.9%71.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%10.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.3%4.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%2.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.1%3.9%2.8%
      Working from home6.5%6.4%4.6%
      Source: The The Dalles, 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.