11 Best Places To Live In Oregon In 2025

Oregon is one of the most naturally diverse states in the nation, with its landscapes ranging from the rugged shoreline of the Pacific Ocean to the jagged peaks of the Cascade Mountains and the dramatic cliff faces of the Columbia River Gorge. However, natural beauty is one of the many reasons the Beaver State is a suitable destination for movers. It has a vibrant culture and hosts a variety of locations, from major cities to quiet towns, that address different living styles.

The best places to live in Oregon in 2025 incorporate access to adequate outdoor recreation, a strong sense of community, availability of health and social amenities, and an overall safe environment to enrich the lives of its residents. Whether an older adult recently retired or a young professional fresh from college, find popular areas to make your new hometown.

Central Point

Central Point impressively delivers on affordability and security while granting citizens ready access to the numerous urban conveniences in nearby Medford. This Jackson County municipality maintains a strong sense of community through social events and festivals like the Jackson County Fair, which allows friendly interactions between townsfolk. Don Jones Memorial Park is the area's hub for all things outdoor recreation and offers an array of facilities, including walking trails, basketball courts, picnic areas, a spray park, and The Oregon Fallen Heroes War Memorial.

Locals also have the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones at the Rogue Valley Family Fun Center. This pleasant amusement park blends thrill rides, a go-kart track, arcade games, and a miniature golf course to entertain all ages. Central Point's median home listing price of $425,000 (according to realtor.com) ensures that acquiring a home is within reach of most residents.

Reedsport

Reedsport is a picturesque coastal town steeped in natural beauty and located in the heart of Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Its vast natural spaces make it an excellent option for outdoor lovers, who can stake out herds of elk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area during a mini wildlife safari. The Umpqua Discovery Center welcomes citizens for eye-opening lessons about natural history, culture, and geology. It features interactive exhibits with information about native plants, animals, and the early Indian inhabitants.

The Lower Umpqua Hospital remains on standby to deliver quality medical services to Reedsport's residents whenever necessary. Meanwhile, the local median home listing price of $350,500 is cheaper than most places in Oregon.

Winston

Winston is a charming village in Douglas County with impressive outdoor scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. It is notably home to the 600-acre Wildlife Safari, where families enjoy a 4.5-mile drive-thru to admire over 500 animals of different species, including wildebeests, giraffes, and cheetahs. Residents can find numerous ways to explore the outdoors across the sprawling expanse of Harold and Sid Nichols Park. The reserve's tranquil environment is perfect for walkers, sightseers, and picnickers.

The town also has the Winston Community Center to create a sense of camaraderie among the locals. This social hub draws the young and the old alike with its mix of a teen center, library, senior center, and event venue. Lastly, the median home listing price is $355,000, below the United States average.

Umatilla

Umatilla allows incoming residents to settle in comfortably without worrying about their safety or expenditure. It is one of the cheapest places to live in Oregon in 2025, as evidenced by its low median home listing price of $273,600. The town lies on the Columbia River bank, boasting a fair share of idyllic nature spaces. These include Hat Rock State Park and Big River Golf Course, which offer terrific water views.

The Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation familiarizes newcomers with the community's dynamic history. Its vast display of artifacts highlights the area's rich past, spanning over 150 years of raw history. Several social hubs and communal venues contribute to a strong sense of place for Umatilla residents. Townsfolk gather at the Umatilla Community Center to indulge in fun events and programs curated for the whole family.

Vernonia

Vernonia is a quiet rural community on the Nehalem River bank steeped in logging and lumbering heritage. Its rich natural scenery is framed by numerous park areas and green spaces, highlighted by Vernonia Lake City Park. Residents gather here for outdoor recreation, with opportunities for fishermen, birdwatchers, campers, and hikers to find the perfect sanctuary. Vernonia's captivating history is well documented at the Vernonia Pioneer Museum, which tells the story of the early inhabitants through an interactive exhibition of archives, relics, vintage tools, and other memorabilia.

The community receives its primary health care services from Adventist Health, saving them a long trip to the city. Finally, buying a new home in Vernonia requires a budget of around $450,000, which is cheaper than the state’s home median home listing price.

Cottage Grove

Nicknamed "Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon," Cottage Grove is known for its covered bridges, historical heritage, and vibrant art scene. The town is dotted with historical sites and markers preserving its dynamic past. You can learn about its mining heydays at the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum, which showcases relics and archives from the Bohemia Mining District. Townsfolk spare the time to support local arts by frequently gathering inside Cottage Theatre to enjoy various theatrical productions by homegrown talent. It is a bike-friendly community.

Meanwhile, PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center addresses healthcare needs by providing round-the-clock primary and emergency care. Lastly, a decent dwelling in Cottage Grove sits around $480,000 (the current median home listing price).

Lebanon

Lebanon is regionally celebrated for its easygoing personality and friendly residents who make newcomers feel at home. It hosts numerous social events, including the annual Strawberry Festival, that help draw citizens together for family-friendly interactions, resulting in a strong sense of community. There are multiple green spaces to enjoy your time outdoors, and hikers love to stretch their legs along the Had Irvine Park Trail. This relatively easy walkway meanders through quiet, shady trees and presents terrific views of the South Santiam River.

Locals can also seek quality health services from the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. Lastly, Lebanon's median home listing price for a real estate property is approximately $450,000.

Toledo

Toledo promises incoming residents an idyllic small-town atmosphere and all the perks of living in rural Oregon. The small community harbors a glittering heritage that is well-preserved and interpreted by the Toledo History Center. This venue exhibits various artifacts highlighting the area's logging, dairy farming, and boat-building heritage. A break to the open spaces awaits at the Port of Toledo Waterfront Park. It is a delightful natural sanctuary that delivers exquisite views of the Yaquina River amidst a serene setting and a soothing breeze.

Families also access a lively restaurant scene in downtown Toledo, where they can savor delicious comfort foods at Rizza Pizza. Elsewhere, those who aspire to own a home in Toledo can estimate a budget of around $455,000 (the current median home listing price) for a decent property.

Talent

Talent blends small-town charm, natural allure, and an artistic heritage to present an excellent destination along the Rogue River Valley. Outdoor opportunities abound throughout Chuck Roberts Park's lush grounds, which are often flocked by enthusiasts seeking to picnic, play sports, or revel in their natural beauty. Those with a soft spot for tasty wines can always visit Stoneriver Vineyards to sample some of the finest fruit wines crafted in the region.

The local arts community often calls on fans to congregate inside Camelot Theatre to watch a lineup of enthralling stage performances, ranging from concerts and comedies to plays, alongside peers. Also, the median home listing price in Talent is around $429,900.

Baker City

Baker City is a small town steeped in historical heritage, which becomes apparent from the dozens of antique structures and old homes across its well-preserved historic district. With more than 100 buildings to explore, the corridor is a blast from the past that transports you to the bygone eras. Highlights include the Leo Adler House Museum, which sports an elaborate Italian architectural style from the late 19th century. Additionally, the Baker Heritage Museum provides a unique perspective of Baker City through the years using archives, manuscripts, and memorabilia.

Those who crave the outdoors can enjoy laid-back tee time on the lush greens of Quail Ridge Golf Course as beer enthusiasts sample delicious crafts at Barley Brown's Brew Pub. Elsewhere, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center ensures access to quality medical care in a town whose median home listing price is an affordable $396,500.

Monmouth

Home to Western Oregon University, Monmouth is a relaxed municipality in Polk County that takes pride in its small-town atmosphere and love for sports. Residents always support the local teams by gathering at McArthur Field to cheer on the college football team and track and field athletes. Those who fancy an escape to the great outdoors head to Sarah Helmick State Recreation Area. Set on the lush floodplain of the Luckiamute River, the area draws everyone from hikers and picnickers to sightseers.

The community depends on Salem Health Medical Clinic for its primary medical services. However, Monmouth is less than 30 minutes from Salem, ensuring easy access to better health amenities and services when necessary. Finally, the median home listing price here is $492,500.

While most people won't think twice about settling in prominent cities like Portland and Salem, the small towns present the sweet spot for those planning to make the Beaver State their new home. They are way cheaper and maintain a strong sense of community with limitless outdoor opportunities. Their slow pace of life allows residents to live comfortably without dealing with the hustle and bustle of major metro areas. So before you contract a moving professional, consider settling in any of the above places to live in Oregon in 2025.