Branching out into the rest of the state, you’ll find idyllic wine valleys, dense forests, wild coasts, snow-capped mountains and sprawling prairies, each area with unique towns full of life and character.
Lots of native Oregonians, visitors and new residents are discovering just how much diversity there is in terms of where to live, with specific towns and communities catching their eye for various reasons like access to Portland for work and entertainment, outdoor spaces, good quality of life, a hip foodie scene and a communal spirit.
In those places, rent prices have started to inch up along with demand. So if you’re considering moving to Oregon, here are the top cities where the Oregon average rent has increased the most.
10. Clackamas
Photo courtesy of Creekside Apartments
- Average rent price increase: 2.75 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,347
The suburb community of Clackamas offers quaint small-town activities and atmosphere along with fast access to Portland.
The name Clackamas comes from the Clackamas tribe, a native group that lived near the Clackamas River in the Willamette Valley.
9. Gresham
- Average rent price increase: 3.03 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,293
Sitting in the shadow of Mount Hood along the Columbia River Gorge, Gresham is located in just about the most picturesque spot ever. As such, spending time outdoors is a big part of the community here, with tons of lush, green parks and a 40-mile-long paved path that’s off-limits to cars.
Despite being Oregon’s fourth-largest city, Gresham still retains its small-town feel, partly thanks to its strong focus on community events like the famous Mt. Hood Jazz Festival.
8. Wilsonville
- Average rent price increase: 3.07 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,459
Once called Boone’s Landing after the nearby ferry that offered passage across the Willamette River, Wilsonville sits at the far southern end of the Portland metropolitan area.
With Interstate 5 as its next-door neighborhood but plenty of family-friendly activities, local events, arts, culture and entertainment in the immediate vicinity, the community attracts lots of people who commute to Portland from there.
That regular demand and interest have caused rent prices to overall stay the same in Wilsonville, with no significant increases and decreases.
7. Aloha
Photo courtesy of Covington Square
- Average rent price increase: 3.25 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,241
Located in the Tualatin Valley between Beaverton and Hillsboro, the unincorporated but cheerfully-named community of Aloha brings a bit of small-town charm to the Silicon Forest corridor.
Alongside local breweries, restaurants and stores, you’ll also find esteemed institutions like the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club and plenty of fun quirks like Harvey the Rabbit, a large statue of a rabbit that looms over the side of the road waving at drivers.
For tech workers looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of its two book-ending towns, Aloha is a happy in-between.
6. Boardman
- Average rent price increase: 4.15 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $918
The eastern Oregon town of Boardman, perched along the Columbia River Gorge, helped lay the groundwork for the agricultural industry that now defines the region. Today, another one of the town’s biggest operations is producing cheese made from dairy farms for the award-winning Tillamook cheese and dairy product company.
Surrounded by sweeping grassy plains and located right along the water, Boardman is also a perfect place for the outdoor sportsman who enjoys fishing or hunting.
5. Springfield
- Average rent price increase: 9.63 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $965
Eugene’s sister city, Springfield is often grouped together with the latter, as they collectively make up Oregon’s second-largest metropolitan area, which is found in the southern end of the Willamette Valley.
But it has its own unique identity, full of locally-owned and -operated restaurants, breweries and shops. Nature lovers also can’t get enough of the easy access to hiking, cycling, rafting and other outdoorsy activities in the nearby Cascade Mountains.
Plus, Portland-raised “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening has revealed that the fictional city of Springfield where the family lives is in fact based on this real-world city. There’s even a mural of the show downtown and unofficial “Simpsons”-themed town tours.
4. Beaverton
- Average rent price increase: 9.80 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,657
Beaverton almost needs no introduction: This family-friendly, Portland-adjacent city is the world headquarters of Nike, as well as a thriving part of the local network of IT and tech companies.
Alongside its stellar reputation as a business hub, its location between the Tualatin Valley and the West Hills offers an abundance of nature and outdoor activities like hiking and cycling in the more than 100 parks around Beaverton. You can then refresh yourself with top-notch wines from the area’s many vineyards and dine on a variety of international cuisines.
3. Oregon City
- Average rent price increase: 12.23 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,406
Now primarily seen as a satellite city for Portland commuters, Oregon City actually has a long and proud history. It was originally the territory’s first capital, the first city west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated and also the end of the Oregon Trail.
On top of its noble origins, the city also has a booming dining and craft beer scene, as well as quirky landmarks like North America’s only “vertical street” (a municipal elevator that connects two neighborhoods of this hilly, riverside city). And beautiful Oregon wilderness, like the Willamette Falls, is right around the corner.
All these factors and more are generating a steady buzz of interest from renters, making those prices start to inch up in Oregon City.
2. Hillsboro
- Average rent price increase: 21.17 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,877
As the seat of Washington County in the verdant and idyllic Tualatin Valley west of Portland, Hillsboro is one of the hotbeds of Oregon wine country, with fast access to the valley’s more than 30 wineries.
But in addition to its agricultural output and lovely natural environs, Hillsboro is also well-known for hosting several leading tech companies, like Intel. These businesses, mainly located along an industrial corridor between Hillsboro and Beaverton, have earned the area the nickname “Silicon Forest.”
With its balance of business and leisure, under-the-radar vibes and proximity to Portland, Hillsboro is starting to distinguish itself as one of Oregon’s most up-and-coming cities.
1. Salem
- Average rent price increase: 25.98 percent
- Average 1-BR rental price: $1,286
Salem, Oregon’s capital city, boasts a prime location just under an hour’s drive south of Portland, making it a popular place to live for commuters, especially as prices in the Rose City inch ever higher.
But Salem’s many charms also win people over, including stately historic buildings, lush parks and a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere.
Methodology
We looked at all cities in Virginia with sufficient available inventory on Apartment Guide and Rent. and compared the average rolling weighted rent price from March 2020 to March 2019 to find the communities with the highest percentage increase in one-bedroom rent prices.
The current rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
