2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Oregon
Methodology Brief
The 2026 Ocity Data-Driven Ranking employs a weighted algorithm to quantify the optimal living environment across ten major Oregon municipalities. The analysis prioritizes three core metrics: Safety (40%), Affordability (30%), and Economic Output (30%). Safety is derived from the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents; Affordability is calculated using median rent for a one-bedroom apartment; and Economic Output is represented by median household income. This methodology eliminates subjective bias, relying exclusively on statistically significant, publicly available data to establish a hierarchy of livability based on measurable performance indicators.
Top 3 Winners: Deep Dive
Rank #1: Hillsboro
Hillsboro secures the top position through a dominant synthesis of safety and economic power. While its rent of $1,776 is the highest in the dataset, this is offset by a median income of $103,439—the highest in Oregon—creating a high-yield economic environment. Crucially, the city maintains a statistically significant safety advantage with a violent crime rate of only 189/100k, positioning it as the safest city among the top three income earners. This combination of optimized safety and maximum economic output makes Hillsboro the benchmark for balanced, high-performance living.
Rank #2: Beaverton
Beaverton represents a highly efficient balance of all three weighted metrics, resulting in a superior aggregate score. It offers a safety-optimized environment with a violent crime rate of 178/100k, the lowest among the top three contenders and significantly below the dataset average. Economic stability is robust, with a median income of $92,650, while housing costs are more moderate at $1,545 per month. Beaverton’s success is defined by its lack of statistical weaknesses; it excels in safety, maintains top-tier income, and controls housing costs more effectively than the #1 ranked city.
Rank #3: Bend
Bend achieves its rank through exceptional affordability relative to its economic standing. Despite a median income of $95,527—second only to Hillsboro—the city offers the most accessible housing market among the top three, with a median rent of $1,283. This creates a favorable income-to-cost ratio. The city's primary variable is safety, with a violent crime rate of 234/100k, which is higher than its top-ranked peers but remains within a manageable range compared to lower-ranked cities. Bend is the data-driven choice for those prioritizing economic capacity with optimized housing costs.
The 'Hidden Gem': Salem
Salem emerges as the dataset’s hidden gem, offering the most compelling value proposition for cost-conscious residents. While its median income of $72,827 is lower than the top-ranked cities, its housing cost is the most favorable in the top 10, with a median rent of just $1,053. This low cost of living creates a high-yield financial environment for households prioritizing disposable income. However, this value comes with a significant trade-off: a violent crime rate of 345/100k, which is statistically high and represents the primary variable in its risk profile.
Full Rankings Table
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | 107,726 | $103,439 | 189 | $1,776 |
| 2 | Beaverton | 96,946 | $92,650 | 178 | $1,545 |
| 3 | Bend | 104,554 | $95,527 | 234 | $1,283 |
| 4 | Gresham | 110,678 | $76,205 | 345 | $1,545 |
| 5 | Salem | 177,423 | $72,827 | 345 | $1,053 |
| 6 | Springfield | 61,642 | $67,211 | 292 | $1,063 |
| 7 | Medford | 85,100 | $66,186 | 292 | $1,062 |
| 8 | Portland | 630,395 | $86,057 | 498 | $1,776 |
| 9 | Corvallis | 60,424 | $63,807 | 292 | $1,236 |
| 10 | Eugene | 177,900 | $65,663 | 345 | $1,063 |