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The 10 Best Places to Retire in Oregon

Nature trail in Oregon

When you retire to Oregon, you can enjoy the best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. The temperate weather and sublime scenery make it easy for active adults to get out and explore the great outdoors, giving some of the best places to live. Thriving cities in this state serve up great coffee in quirky coffee shops and boast a unique culture.

NewHomeSource has compiled the top 10 cities for retirees in Oregon. Each has something wonderful to offer for those who want to make the most of their newfound freedom in retirement.

Top 10 Cities to Retire in Oregon

Skip Ahead
1. Ontario
2. Klamath Falls
3. Hermiston
4. La Grande
5. Pendleton
6. Lebanon
7. Coos Bay
8. Prineville
9. Cottage Grove
10. Roseburg
Common Questions About Retiring in Oregon

1. Ontario

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.1% 

Median Home Value: $117,800

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 85

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 674

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2

Ontario is a charming community on the Oregon and Idaho border. This fantastic town is great for retirees who want to save money during their retirement, have easy access to Boise, Idaho, and engage with sublime scenery. If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors, Ontario is the perfect pace for you!

2. Klamath Falls

Waterfall in Kalamath Falls, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.3%

Median Home Value: $159,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 110

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 743

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

Klamath Falls is a beautiful and affordable community where retirees can enjoy their golden years, especially considering all the amazing activities found here. The beautiful Upper Klamath Lake affords people of all ages a plethora of lakeside entertainment, ranging from boating to swimming. 

3. Hermiston

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.2%

Median Home Value: $164,300

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 59

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 573

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

Hermiston is a gorgeous town in northern Oregon. Retirees looking to get outdoors and reconnect with Mother Nature will love Hermiston’s numerous parks that make it easy to stay active and healthy.

4. La Grande

Rock formation in La Grande, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.3%

Median Home Value: $170,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 15

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 324

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

Retiring in La Grande is perfect for people who want to enjoy outdoor adventures and have an affordable cost of living. This rustic community sits between the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests, so you can explore beautiful scenery and see spectacular views every day.

5. Pendleton

Grain field near Pendleton, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.8%

Median Home Value: $172,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 66

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 512

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

Retirees looking to reengage with Mother Nature should head over to Pendleton. This beautiful city allows residents to enjoy a peaceful and private community near the Umatilla National Forest, while still giving them easy access to large cities like Portland. Pendleton truly has the best of all possible worlds.

6. Lebanon

A beautiful field of wild flowers in Lebanon, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.5%

Median Home Value: $177,900

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 30

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 374

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 4

Lebanon is a picturesque community south of Portland and Salem. If you’re looking to surround yourself with some of the best scenery Oregon has to offer, you can’t go wrong retiring in Lebanon. Explore amazing national forests and spend lazy days on the South Santiam River when you make your home here.

7. Coos Bay

View of the ocean in Coos Bay, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21.4%

Median Home Value: $181,200

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 78

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 808

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 4

Who says waterfront living has to be expensive? Coos Bay is a sublime city on Oregon’s coast that lets retirees enjoy the best of coastal living in a thriving community. The best part of it all: Coos Bay is shockingly affordable, making retiring here a no brainer. 

8. Prineville

Courthouse in Prineville, Oregon

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21%

Median Home Value: $188,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 39

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 223

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

On the edge of the Ochoco National Forest sits Prineville, a safe, beautiful and affordable town, perfect for retirees who want to stay active with plenty of hiking and exploring. There are also plenty of community events throughout the year at the Crook County Fairgrounds, including dog and horse shows, plus the annual county fair. 

9. Cottage Grove

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.2%

Median Home Value: $192,600

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 29

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 399

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 4

Cottage Grove prides itself on its picture-perfect scenery. The area’s Covered Bridges Scenic Tour Route allows residents to drive or ride bikes through the beautiful landscape and take in these amazing historical bridges. Cottage Grove also offers boating, fishing and swimming in the nearby lakes, rivers and swimming holes.

10. Roseburg

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 22.3%

Median Home Value: $195,400

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 82

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,352

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2

Roseburg is full of exciting attractions and adventures. You can check out the local museums to learn about Oregon pioneers and local Native American cultures. The town also has baseball fields, tennis courts, swimming pools and golf courses open for recreational use.

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city.

Common Questions About Retiring in Oregon

Is Oregon a Retirement Friendly State?

Oregon is a somewhat friendly state for retirees. While it does tax pension income, and doesn’t allow deductions on income from retirement accounts, the state has no sales taxes, and retirees below a certain income threshold can claim a 9% credit on that income.

How Much Do You Need to Retire in Oregon?

To retire comfortably in Oregon, you should plan to have between $36,000 to $56,000 a year for expenses.

city name people over 65 violent crimes property crimes access to doctors median home price
Portland 12.80% 3,617.00 35,014.00 20 $412,000
Salem 14.10% 694.00 6,527.00 7 $242,800
Eugene 16.00% 685.00 6,207.00 4 $288,600
Gresham 13.60% 491.00 3,444.00 18 $287,900
Hillsboro 10.60% 275.00 2,164.00 20 $342,500
Beaverton 13.20% 217.00 1,988.00 20 $376,500
Bend 16.70% 161.00 1,951.00 2 $384,800
Medford 17.60% 415.00 4,276.00 4 $265,400
Springfield 14.10% 194.00 1,986.00 4 $204,700
Corvallis 12.70% 94.00 1,921.00 4 $330,500
Tigard 14.60% 119.00 1,410.00 21 $408,400
Albany 15.90% 73.00 1,500.00 7 $226,200
Keizer 15.80% 66.00 659.00 7 $260,200
Lake Oswego 20.60% 26.00 483.00 20 $637,200
Grants Pass 19.80% 140.00 1,241.00 2 $231,800
Oregon City 15.20% 109.00 646.00 19 $359,200
McMinnville 18.60% 72.00 759.00 8 $247,400
Redmond 15.80% 73.00 1,122.00 3 $258,300
Tualatin 12.20% 63.00 765.00 21 $419,400
West Linn 15.80% 20.00 232.00 20 $493,900
Woodburn 15.90% 94.00 925.00 10 $205,300
Forest Grove 14.40% 52.00 466.00 14 $319,200
Wilsonville 13.90% 35.00 387.00 20 $425,900
Newberg 13.40% 31.00 335.00 19 $320,400
Roseburg 22.30% 82.00 1,352.00 2 $195,400
Happy Valley 11.30% 37.00 379.00 20 $508,400
Klamath Falls 16.30% 110.00 743.00 1 $159,500
Ashland 23.60% 30.00 538.00 3 $441,900
Milwaukie 16.40% 36.00 292.00 20 $323,500
Sherwood 9.20% 12.00 217.00 20 $405,900
Central Point 17.20% 32.00 364.00 4 $260,600
Canby 16.00% 33.00 188.00 19 $329,700
Hermiston 12.20% 59.00 573.00 1 $164,300
Lebanon 17.50% 30.00 374.00 4 $177,900
Pendleton 14.80% 66.00 512.00 1 $172,100
Dallas 21.20% 49.00 326.00 6 $222,700
Coos Bay 21.40% 78.00 808.00 4 $181,200
Troutdale 10.50% 36.00 511.00 17 $309,600
The Dalles 20.70% 32.00 496.00 4 $204,400
St. Helens 10.70% 43.00 141.00 9 $228,500
La Grande 15.30% 15.00 324.00 1 $170,500
Cornelius 9.10% 35.00 271.00 19 $263,000
Gladstone 16.80% 25.00 246.00 20 $302,200
Sandy 11.50% 9.00 179.00 13 $281,300
Ontario 18.10% 85.00 674.00 2 $117,800
Newport 25.80% 38.00 283.00 2 $258,000
Silverton 17.60% 17.00 231.00 6 $296,400
Monmouth 8.90% 16.00 128.00 8 $225,100
Cottage Grove 16.20% 29.00 399.00 4 $192,600
Prineville 21.00% 39.00 223.00 1 $188,500
Independence 8.60% 126.00 1,702.00 8 $205,000
city name people over 65 violent crimes property crimes access to doctors median home price

Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.

Other Oregon Resources

Best Tiny Home Builders in Oregon
The Healthiest States to Live In
The 10 Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Allergies
Top State Parks in Oregon
How to Build a House in Oregon
Best Places to Live in Oregon
The Most Affordable Cities in Oregon
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Oregon
Best Tiny Home Builders in Portland
Jessi Gonzalez author picture
Jessi Gonzalez

Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dean Janson

    July 22, 2023 at 2:43 pm

    Hello,how about showing us the best places to live in Oregon based on people who are on a fixed income. People with disabilities and low incomes. Show us what the houseing authority says are the average co-pays for people on section 8. Show us what medicaid is like in Oregon. Show us how difficult it is to find a single family home on section 8. Show us what average utility costs are. Show us what things there are to do for retired and disabled people. This..is the type of information people are ACTUALLY looking for. Rather than vague description of area activities.

  2. Joseph Dishman

    August 5, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    Hermiston coos bay and prineville

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