Cost of Living in Baker City, OR

Population 10,177 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Baker City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $234,000.

Baker City lies roughly 105 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Nampa — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Nampa's $333,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 77
Rent 63

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Baker City

The median home value in Baker City is $233,500 — 23% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $833/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,125/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Oregon's top state income tax rate is 9.9% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 62.2°F and lows of 33.0°F. Overall, Baker City has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$233,500
23% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$228,401
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$833/mo
37% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$903
1 BR
$1,003
2 BR
$1,252
3 BR
$1,754
4 BR
$2,023
Owner-occupied 72.6%
Renter-occupied 27.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$833
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,447/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
16.3 min
40% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.5%
Carpooled
4.1%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
6.9%
Bicycle
1.9%
Work from home
8.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.9%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$58,125
22% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,845
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor Force Participation
50.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.7%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.2
Male median age 43.5
Female median age 48.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.2°F
Avg Low
33.0°F
Annual Precip
9.1"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384454617077888879644837
Low °F 202328313944494739302520
Precip" 0.700.590.770.821.461.100.550.430.440.620.730.85

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 30 — Good
82.9%
Good air days/yr
83
Max AQI recorded
363
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
21:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
4,089
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Baker City, OR?

Baker City has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Baker City, OR?

The median gross rent in Baker City is $833 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Baker City?

The median home value in Baker City is $233,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Baker City?

The median household income in Baker City is $58,125 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Baker City, OR?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Baker City is 0.0%. The Oregon state income tax top rate is 9.9%.

Is Baker City, OR affordable?

Yes, Baker City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Baker City?

Baker City has average high temperatures of 62.2°F and average lows of 33.0°F. Annual precipitation is 9.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Baker City at a Glance

Population
10,177
Median Income
$58,125
Home Value
$233,500
Median Rent
$833/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg High Temp
62.2°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

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