Best Cities for Young Professionals in Oregon
Oregon ranks #39 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 43.5. Bethany is its best city for young professionals at 74.0.
- Oregon, all states
- #39 of 50
- Population
- 33,106
What Young Professionals Should Know About Oregon
Oregon ranks #39 out of 50 for young professionals, suggesting some tradeoffs for career-focused relocators. The state's economy scores 33/100, though with 5.2% unemployment and a median household income of $85,220. Modest population growth of 0.19% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 103.4, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Oregon's livability score of 48/100 is adequate — metro areas have decent options, though the state isn't known as a cultural hub. Transportation infrastructure scores well (66/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Bethany | A+ | 74.0 | 75.7 | 100 | — | 66 | 33,106 |
| 2Lake Oswego | A+ | 61.2 | 68.7 | 77 | 32 | 64 | 40,381 |
| 3Tigard | B+ | 59.8 | 60.9 | 62 | 53 | 64 | 56,011 |
| 4Hillsboro | B+ | 59.5 | 60.9 | 61 | 50 | 66 | 108,231 |
| 5Bend | B+ | 59.1 | 62.2 | 59 | 45 | 61 | 103,390 |
| 6Aloha | B+ | 57.9 | 58.8 | 58 | — | 61 | 52,389 |
| 7Corvallis | B | 57.4 | 56.7 | 47 | 44 | 71 | 59,960 |
| 8Beaverton | B+ | 57.3 | 60.0 | 58 | 37 | 72 | 97,812 |
| 9Redmond | B | 56.7 | 58.7 | 50 | 63 | 43 | 36,092 |
| 10Oregon City | B | 56.1 | 57.8 | 58 | 35 | 73 | 37,755 |
| 11Portland | C+ | 54.5 | 54.3 | 53 | 38 | 77 | 641,165 |
| 12Salem | C | 53.2 | 51.9 | 47 | 45 | 69 | 178,865 |
| 13Keizer | C+ | 52.9 | 54.1 | 51 | 35 | 67 | 39,082 |
| 14Eugene | C | 52.9 | 51.9 | 44 | 37 | 67 | 179,591 |
| 15Albany | C | 52.6 | 52.2 | 45 | 32 | 67 | 56,839 |
| 16Springfield | C | 52.4 | 50.7 | 43 | 41 | 64 | 61,499 |
| 17Gresham | C | 51.7 | 52.0 | 46 | 38 | 68 | 112,378 |
| 18Medford | C | 50.7 | 49.7 | 42 | 37 | 68 | 86,315 |
| 19McMinnville | C+ | 50.5 | 54.2 | 45 | 21 | 72 | 34,596 |
| 20Grants Pass | D | 47.7 | 47.5 | 31 | 29 | 69 | 39,311 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Oregon for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon a good state for young professionals?
Oregon ranks #39 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 43.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Transportation (66/100) and its weakest is Growth (23/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Oregon?
Bethany ranks #1 in Oregon for young professionals with a score of 74.0/100, followed by Lake Oswego and Tigard.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Oregon?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.