11 Best Places to Retire in Oregon

When time comes to finally leave your job and spend some quality time with your family you can only rejoice and if moving to a different location for a change of scenery is your thing, then you might enjoy these 11 best places to retire in Oregon.

This beautiful state has a long coastline on the Pacific Ocean, so if being close to the Ocean is one of the things you’d like when retiring then this may be one of the best picks. Despite being closer to the northern border than the southern one, the proximity to the ocean makes Oregon a place where you can find milder winters than in other areas. Aside from the coastline, you can expect to see a diverse landscape here, including volcanos, lakes, rivers, deep forests, and even a desert. It looks like whatever you’re looking for, Oregon has to offer it. Alternatively, if you’d like, you can also check out the 7 most affordable countries to live and retire in the world.

For our list today, we looked at all counties within Oregon and took into consideration several aspects, such as the median home price in the area and the cost of living index. Then, we went to Smartasset and checked out just how much your property taxes would cost you for that exact averaged priced home we were talking about. We handed out scores and came up with the list of the 11 best places to retire in Oregon.

11. Lake

Score: 7

Median home price: $141,800

Home tax: $1,228

Cost of living index: 98.8

Located in the south-central area of Oregon, Lake County is home to just under 8,000 people, which isn’t all that much. The median age of the residents is 48 according to the latest census so you’re surely going to find plenty of other retirees if you pick this county for your new home.

The average home price in this area is over $141,000 while the property taxes reach $1,228. The cost of living index is a bit below the average, but not enough to actually make much of a difference when it comes to your wallet.

Lake county has a total area of over 8,300 square miles, out of which over 200 square miles are water. This area is full of beautiful lakes, as well as mountain peaks and national protected areas. Overall, this is the third largest county in Oregon.

10. Coos

Score: 7

Median home price: $137,700

Home tax: $ 1,263

Cost of living index: 98.8

Next up is a county with an ocean view, namely Coos County. Nearly 63,000 people call this county home and it’s easy to see why someone would pick it if for nothing else than the fact that you can go to the beach and just enjoy the waves anytime, regardless of the weather. The median age of the residents is 47.2 years if you were wondering.

The median home price here is north of $137,000 which isn’t too terrible, but not brilliant either. Regardless, you’re surely going to be able to find a home for a lot less than this price since there are plenty of pricey options to pick from hiking up the median line.

9. Josephine

Score: 10

Median home price: $162,500

Home tax: $1,042

Cost of living index: 102.8

One of the most populated counties on our list, Josephine is home to over 82,000 people, with the median age of 47.1 years among them. The area is plenty green so if you’re looking to enjoy some time in nature, then this is a great place to pick for your retirement. Josephine County is not only extremely green, it’s also full of rivers you can sail on.

If you’re looking to move here, you should know that the median home price is $162,500, while the property taxes you’ll have to pay for a house this expensive reach $1,042. The cost of living in the area is just a bit higher than the national average, but not so high that your funds would evaporate.

8. Malheur

Score: 10

Median home price: $133,800

Home tax: $1,354

Cost of living index: 96.6

Bordering Idaho and Nevada, Malheur County is situated in the south-east corner of the state, being the second largest county in Oregon by area, namely some 9,930 square miles. Despite the huge territory, there are only a little over 31,000 people living here. Unlike in other areas, the median age of the residents here is quite low, barely passing the 36 years mark.

The median home price in Malheur is $133,800, which isn’t necessarily terrible, but it’s not particularly great either. Taxes for such a property would reach $1,354.

Malheur county is a beautiful region with plenty of water holes to enjoy, peaks to hike on and nature to enjoy. For instance, the county is home, in part, to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, to the Malheur and Whitman National Forests.

7. Grant

Score: 14

Median home price: $133,200

Home tax: $1,279

Cost of living index: 96.9

Named after president Ulysses S. Grant, this particular Oregon county is home to under 7,500 people while the median age of the residents is 50. This means that many other retirees have chosen this location as their new home.

The median home price in this area is a bit over $133,000 while the property tax reaches $1,279 for such a house. Of course, the amount will vary depending on just how much you’re going to shell out for your new home if you’re planning to buy one.

Grant County stretches over 4,529 square miles and a big part of these are the Malheur National Forest, as well as sections of the Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla, and Ochoco National Forests. In all, there are over 150,000 acres of federally designated Wilderness Areas, which you should take into consideration upon choosing your new county of residence.

6. Harney

Score: 16

Median home price: $119,700

Home tax: $1,411

Cost of living index: 94.7

Despite being the largest county in Oregon, and one of the largest in the United States by size, since it spreads over 10,228 square miles, Harney County is only home to a little over 7,300 people, making it the fifth-least populated place in Oregon. The median age of the residents is 46.1 years, so there are quite a few other retirees living here.

The median home price in the area is under $120,000 while property taxes reach $1,411 for such a home. This is the perfect place to pick if you’re into hunting, fishing or camping since there are plenty of areas to practice these in.

5. Klamath

Score: 21

Median home price: $130,900

Home tax: $1,013

Cost of living index: 97.3

The fourth largest county in Oregon borders California so the weather is a bit warmer than in other areas of the state. Klamath County is home to over 66,000 people, making it one of the most populated in Oregon. The median age of the residents is 41.6 years old.

If you’re looking to buy a home here you should know that the median house price is $130,900, for which you’d have to pay a property tax of $1,013, which isn’t too terrible. The cost of living index is 97.3 so there shouldn’t be that much of a difference than the national average and what you’re used to paying for things.

4. Douglas

Score: 22

Median home price: $128,300

Home tax: $1,053

Cost of living index: 96

Douglas County has over 107,000 residents, with a median age of 46.1 years, meaning it has a lot of people that are of retirement age living here. Houses cost about $128,000 here, although you’re surely going to find places that are a lot cheaper than this. For a home at this price, you’d have to pay a little over $1,000 in property taxes.

The county is home, in part, to the Umpqua National Forest, as well as the Siuslaw National Forest on top of plenty of water spots. Therefore, if you plan to spend at least some time in nature, Douglas County is a good choice. It even has a bit of a coastline to pride itself with.

3. Morrow

Score: 22

Median home price: $115,100

Home tax: $1,333

Cost of living index: 94.1

Along the northern border of Oregon sits Morrow County, spanning over 2,049 square miles. Here live over 11,000 people with a median age of 36.6 years. The average house price in the area is $115,100m which is quite a manageable sum. Property taxes for such a home will take you up another $1,333 in Morrow County.

The county is home to the Umatilla National Forest and the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, but only in part. If you want to enjoy time out in nature you can do so in these areas.

2. Gilliam

Score: 25

Median home price: $118,100

Home tax: $1,118

Cost of living index:  94.4

Right next to Morrow County sits Gilliam County, which covers over 1,200 square miles. Here live a mere 1,900 people according to the latest census, so things are quite cozy when it comes to neighbors. The median age of the residents is 50.2, so there are plenty of other retirees living here.

The average home price in this particular county was calculated at $118,100, for which you’d have to pay a tax of $1,118. If you’re interested, you could certainly find houses for cheaper than this although it’s probably a rather thin market to begin with.

1. Wheeler

Score: 30

Median home price: $115,700

Home tax: $1,046

Cost of living index: 93.1

Last but not least is Wheeler County, a place called home by a mere 1,441 people according to the 2010 census. While this may be the best county to move to from a financial standpoint, you should keep in mind that it is the least populated county in the entire Oregon, so only choose it if you’re comfortable living in such a small community.

Homes in the area go for an average $115,700, for which you’d have to pay a property tax of $1,046.

Spreading over 1,715 square miles, Wheeler County has plenty of space for nature. It includes, in part, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Ochoco, and the Umatilla National Forests, which are all protected areas.

All in all, Wheeler County tops the list of the 11 best places to retire in Oregon.