Oregon
Oregon ranks #23 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 61.1/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Transportation (69/100) and its weakest is Growth (26/100).
How Does Oregon Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Oregon
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Lake Oswego | A+ | 68.4 | 40,367 | $140,441 | 55.4 | 106.6 |
| 39 | Bethany | A+ | 67.1 | 31,700 | $164,315 | — | — |
| 126 | Bend | A | 62.5 | 104,554 | $95,527 | 190.3 | 105.8 |
| 132 | Tigard | A | 62.3 | 55,395 | $105,008 | 288.5 | 106.6 |
| 177 | Hillsboro | A | 61.0 | 107,726 | $103,439 | 300.6 | 106.6 |
| 222 | Beaverton | B+ | 59.7 | 96,946 | $92,650 | 282.9 | 106.6 |
| 223 | Oregon City | B+ | 59.7 | 37,482 | $94,648 | 242.5 | — |
| 281 | Redmond | B+ | 58.0 | 35,161 | $79,789 | 216.9 | — |
| 322 | Aloha | B+ | 57.3 | 53,362 | $96,754 | — | — |
| 360 | Corvallis | B | 56.3 | 60,424 | $63,807 | 195.2 | 106.4 |
| 406 | McMinnville | B | 55.2 | 34,493 | $70,060 | 243.1 | — |
| 472 | Keizer | B | 53.6 | 39,013 | $81,217 | 278.7 | — |
| 513 | Portland | C+ | 52.7 | 630,395 | $86,057 | 732.4 | 106.6 |
| 534 | Eugene | C+ | 52.3 | 177,900 | $65,663 | 353.6 | 103.5 |
| 575 | Gresham | C+ | 51.6 | 110,678 | $76,205 | 389.2 | 106.6 |
| 585 | Albany | C+ | 51.3 | 56,773 | $73,809 | 198.2 | 104.6 |
| 627 | Salem | C+ | 50.2 | 177,423 | $72,827 | 461.6 | 102.4 |
| 628 | Springfield | C+ | 50.2 | 61,642 | $67,211 | 325.3 | 103.5 |
| 648 | Medford | C+ | 49.7 | 85,100 | $66,186 | 425.3 | 103.3 |
| 751 | Grants Pass | C | 46.9 | 39,183 | $56,877 | 407.8 | 100.7 |
Best Cities in Oregon for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Oswego | 66.9 | 69.6 | 93.5 | 42.6 |
| 2 | Bethany | 62.4 | 63.3 | 67.7 | 42.3 |
| 3 | Bend | 61.5 | 44.6 | 82.9 | 52.4 |
| 4 | Corvallis | 61.1 | 56.3 | 73.0 | 60.8 |
| 5 | Beaverton | 60.3 | 57.9 | 72.9 | 55.7 |
More West States
Oregon Rankings Overview
Oregon earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 61.1 out of 100, ranking #23 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Transportation (69/100) while its biggest challenge is Growth (26/100).
Economy & Employment in Oregon
With an unemployment rate of 5.4% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Oregon performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $77,630, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Oregon
Oregon's violent crime rate of 292 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Oregon
Oregon ranks #19 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #19 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Oregon is 78.8 years, and the high school graduation rate is 81%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Oregon
Oregon's total tax burden is 9.06% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 14.69%. The effective property tax rate is 0.86%, and there is no sales tax.
Housing & Affordability in Oregon
The median home price in Oregon is $505,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 105 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
Environment in Oregon
Oregon has a median air quality index of 32 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 67% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 40.4 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Oregon
Oregon's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.3 per 1,000 residents. 90.5% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Oregon
The top-ranked cities in Oregon based on our composite scoring are Lake Oswego, Bethany, and Bend. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Oregon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oregon's overall ranking?
Oregon ranks #23 out of 50 states with a composite score of 61.1/100 and a grade of B.
Is Oregon a good place to live?
Oregon ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 61.1/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Oregon?
The violent crime rate in Oregon is 292 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Oregon's economy compare?
Oregon's median household income is $77,630 with an unemployment rate of 5.4%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Oregon?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Oregon are Lake Oswego, Bethany, and Bend.
How does Oregon rank for families?
Oregon ranks #21 of 50 states for families with a score of 68.2/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Oregon rank for retirees?
Oregon ranks #17 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 67.7/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Oregon rank for remote workers?
Oregon ranks #19 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 56.9/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.