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. Thriving cities in this state serve up great coffee in quirky coffee shops and boast a unique culture.
NewHomeSource found the top five cities for retirees in Oregon. Explore these thriving areas, perfect for people who want to make the most of their newfound freedom and escape the tedium that occurred when they worked in the office.
Top 10 Cities to Retire to in Oregon
1. Ontario
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%
Median Home Value: $114,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 6
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 579
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Ontario, OR is a charming community on the border of Washington State and Idaho. This fantastic town is great for retirees who want to save money during their retirement, have easy access to Boise, and engage with sublime scenery. If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors, Ontario is the perfect pace for you!
2. Pendleton
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.7%
Median Home Value: $155,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 46
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 454
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 0
Retirees looking to re-engage with Mother Nature during their golden years should head over to Pendelton, OR. 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.
3. Klamath Falls
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.2%
Median Home Value: $155,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 97
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 753
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Klamath Falls gives retirees a beautiful and affordable community to enjoy their golden years, although couch potatoes might not like the amazing activities found here. The beautiful Upper Klamath Lake gives people of all ages beautiful scenery and a plethora of lakeside entertainment, ranging from boating to swimming.
4. Hermiston
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.7%
Median Home Value: $156,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 44
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 588
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 0
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.
5. Lebanon
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.3%
Median Home Value: $159,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 37
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 483
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
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 in Lebanon..
6. La Grande
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.3%
Median Home Value: $162,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 13
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 268
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 0
Retiring in La Grande, OR 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 sublime views every single day.
7. Prineville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.9%
Median Home Value: $164,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 43
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 371
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile 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 during their golden years. While couch potatoes might not like spending their days hiking and exploring, active adults can stay healthy and engaged when they retire in Prineville.
8. Independence
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 8.2%
Median Home Value: $174,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 126
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,702
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
Independence is the perfect town for retirees that want to have it all. This affordable town gives residents easy access to Salem for fun days out on the town, while still maintaining a true community atmosphere. To top it all off, Independence is set in some of the best scenery Central Oregon has to offer, making it a wonderful place for nature loving active adults.
9. Coos Bay
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 22%
Median Home Value: $178,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 48
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 789
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Who says waterfront living has to be expensive, or that retirees have to head to the mosquito buffet called Florida? 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.
10. Woodburn
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.7%
Median Home Value: $179,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 113
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 966
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 6
Woodburn, OR will not appeal to retirees who want to live life in a BarcaLounger. This great Portland suburb has something for everyone, including an outlet mall, a tulip farm, and a local vineyard! If you’re ready to seize the day during your retirement, start looking for your new home in Woodburn today.
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
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.
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 |
| Ontario | 17.3% | 6 | 579 | 1 | $114,800 |
| Pendleton | 13.7% | 46 | 454 | 0 | $155,100 |
| Klamath Falls | 15.2% | 97 | 753 | 1 | $155,600 |
| Hermiston | 11.7% | 44 | 588 | 0 | $156,500 |
| Lebanon | 19.3% | 37 | 483 | 3 | $159,900 |
| La Grande | 15.3% | 13 | 268 | 0 | $162,100 |
| Prineville | 19.9% | 43 | 371 | 1 | $164,300 |
| Independence | 8.2% | 126 | 1,702 | 3 | $174,000 |
| Coos Bay | 22% | 48 | 789 | 1 | $178,300 |
| Woodburn | 14.7% | 113 | 966 | 6 | $179,400 |
| Cottage Grove | 15.9% | 28 | 416 | 3 | $180,000 |
| Roseburg | 22.8% | 60 | 1,342 | 1 | $188,300 |
| Springfield | 13.6% | 186 | 2,127 | 3 | $189,700 |
| The Dalles | 20% | 35 | 475 | 1 | $191,600 |
| Dallas | 21.4% | 46 | 494 | 1 | $205,000 |
| Albany | 15.3% | 117 | 1,773 | 3 | $204,700 |
| St. Helens | 12.6% | 23 | 206 | 3 | $206,800 |
| Monmouth | 8.2% | 14 | 144 | 3 | $215,600 |
| Grants Pass | 19.3% | 156 | 1,350 | 1 | $219,500 |
| Salem | 13.9% | 736 | 7,199 | 4 | $223,200 |
| Cornelius | 8.7% | 32 | 297 | 8 | $235,800 |
| Keizer | 15.4% | 88 | 895 | 4 | $235,900 |
| McMinnville | 17.7% | 86 | 1,065 | 2 | $237,300 |
| Central Point | 16.9% | 36 | 464 | 3 | $238,900 |
| Newport | 25% | 30 | 351 | 0 | $239,600 |
| Redmond | 15.9% | 75 | 1,118 | 2 | $242,200 |
| Medford | 17.3% | 409 | 4,472 | 3 | $244,700 |
| Sandy | 11.5% | 16 | 190 | 6 | $259,700 |
| Gresham | 13.4% | 473 | 3,824 | 13 | $267,000 |
| Silverton | 17% | 13 | 216 | 3 | $269,200 |
| Gladstone | 15.3% | 25 | 332 | 13 | $274,300 |
| Eugene | 15.4% | 673 | 5,523 | 3 | $272,000 |
| Forest Grove | 13.9% | 42 | 435 | 4 | $280,500 |
| Troutdale | 10.2% | 40 | 438 | 12 | $282,500 |
| Newberg | 13.4% | 39 | 347 | 9 | $283,500 |
| Milwaukie | 16.2% | 37 | 311 | 16 | $291,300 |
| Canby | 16.1% | 46 | 262 | 12 | $298,000 |
| Covallis | 12.1% | 96 | 2,013 | 2 | $305,100 |
| Hillsboro | 10.3% | 287 | 2,013 | 10 | $315,100 |
| Oregon City | 14.8% | 136 | 871 | 13 | $329,100 |
| Beaverton | 12.7% | 189 | 2,040 | 16 | $352,000 |
| Bend | 16.5% | 171 | 2,117 | 2 | $363,200 |
| Tigard | 14.6% | 114 | 1,558 | 15 | $375,100 |
| Sherwood | 8.8% | 12 | 101 | 14 | $338,800 |
| Tualatin | 11% | 60 | 729 | 15 | $397,300 |
| Portland | 12.3% | 3,440 | 36,815 | 16 | $383,600 |
| Winsonville | 13.8% | 37 | 471 | 13 | $404,800 |
| Ashland | 22% | 39 | 703 | 3 | $428,100 |
| West Linn | 15.7% | 25 | 236 | 13 | $465,000 |
| Happy Valley | 10.3% | 25 | 1,342 | 13 | $485,900 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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