Looking for affordable Oregon vacation destinations? The Beaver State is known for its breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and outdoor activities, but it also has several budget towns and communities ideal for visitors looking to save money while experiencing the splendor of the Pacific Northwest.
From lovely tiny villages with historical history to larger cities with access to nature and urban amenities, Oregon has something for everyone.
In this post, we’ll look at the seven most affordable destinations in Oregon, highlighting what makes each one unique and why they’re perfect for budget-conscious individuals and families alike.
1. Springfield
Springfield is the best place to save money without sacrificing excitement. Because the city is mostly centered on the river, many of the exciting activities to do here are rather inexpensive. There’s fishing, swimming (enhanced by the presence of their water park Splash), and boats to be had, and much of it is inexpensive or even free.
Taking a more mathematical approach, the city with a great history and a hopeful future does indeed appear sparkling. The cost of food, utilities, and miscellaneous living expenses all score first on our overall list. The median property price is also not bad, ranking 10th with an average of $177,700.
We’ll agree that Springfield’s adjusted income is low at $36,937, but with all of the offers available, even if you don’t have high-paying work, you can still live happily and comfortably here.
2. Dallas
Not to be confused with much bigger and more expensive. Dallas, TX, a city of 14,583 people in Oregon, allows people to save money while still living a comfortable life. Foodies, in particular, do not have to sacrifice quality in this city, as food prices are placed fourth overall.
What about getting a job? There’s no sweat. The unemployment rate here is quite low, at 7.5 percent. There are many activities to choose from. You can go disc golfing with your pals, see the gorgeous arboretum, or even locate some reasonable food to eat.
El Pique Taqueria Family Restaurant serves low-cost food that is yet of high quality, as evidenced by its excellent evaluations. Students also receive significant discounts.
3. Woodburn
If you want some local color for a modest cost, go no further than Woodburn, which has a population of 24,080.
This city is home to Wooden Shoe Tulip farms and a one-month Tulip Festival. For a relatively low admission cost, visitors to the farm can enjoy gorgeous flowers, and many attractions for both children and adults and even pick their bouquets while immersed in a world of sweet-smelling colors.
Woodburn is just another example of how low prices can help keep a community cheap. The cost of utilities is tied with Dallas and Keizer for eighth overall, while the miscellaneous cost of living is also tied with Keizer at fifth. Unlike those other places, the median property price stands alone in ninth position, at a relatively reasonable $173,300.
4. Eugene
Eugene, the most populous of our top seven cities, has plenty to offer its 156,185 residents. Its food, utility, and miscellaneous costs of living are all tied with Springfield for first place, yet the unemployment rate is quite low at 8.3%.
The only reason this home didn’t rank higher on our list is that its adjusted income is only $38,973. Nonetheless, with such low expenses, it’s still rather simple to enjoy life in the major metropolis. Given its size, Eugene is naturally a festival hotspot.
Whatever you want to celebrate, you’ll most likely find it here at a low (or no) entry price. Whether you enjoy sipping wine and admiring exquisite art, or you want to run for this year’s Slug Queen, this is the place to party.
5. Coos Bay
Simply said, the city of Coos Bay offers some incredible benefits. Affordability is the word of the game, with the costs of food, electricity, and miscellaneous living expenses all ranking among the top five in those categories.
Purchasing a home in Coos Bay is also not difficult, with the median house price ranking eighth. If you enjoy eating, this city provides everything you’ve been looking for. This place has more than one food festival.
Depending on the season, you can attend festivals commemorating crab, clams, seafood in general, blackberries, cranberries, and local produce. If you can eat it, Coos Bay will probably throw a party over it.
6. Lebanon
Lebanon is incredibly affordable, with consistently high ratings. The cost of utilities is eighth, the miscellaneous cost of living is much lower at fifth, and the median property price is very low, ranking fifth. Lebanon undoubtedly lives true to its tagline, because monetarily, “it’s easier from here.” It is very easy to locate things to do here.
There’s a large strawberry festival with a carnival, parade, and plenty of delicious treats to try. The rest of the year, people searching for a cheap way to relax can visit one of the 17 parks or visit the adjacent Cheadle Lake.
7. Salem
Salem, one of the larger cities we looked at, has a population of 154,637 and closes out the top seven with some pretty nice advantages. Food costs are rather inexpensive here, and the miscellaneous cost of living is tied for fifth place on our list.
The typical home price is also fairly reasonable, indicating that this is a cheap place to settle down, both in terms of housing and living expenses. Just because it is inexpensive does not imply that there isn’t much to do here. There is the local Salem Saturday Market, where shoppers can look for deals, and there are farmer’s markets on Wednesdays during the summer.
There are various food and wine events throughout the year, and those searching for a nibble away from the fairgrounds can find it at China Gourmet, where the hot and sour soup is both spicy and delicious.
Final Words
Finally, Oregon has a variety of economical holiday spots that blend breathtaking beauty with low-cost living. From Springfield’s outdoor activities to Salem’s colorful markets, each destination offers one-of-a-kind experiences that are reasonably priced. These villages show how to enjoy life in Oregon while keeping costs low.