Cost of Living in Brookings, OR

Population 6,733 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

118
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 Brookings a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $399,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Brookings lies roughly 150 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Eugene. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Eugene's $435,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 131
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Brookings

The median home value in Brookings is $398,700 — 31% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,303/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,384/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Oregon's top state income tax rate is 9.9% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. Overall, Brookings has a cost of living index of 118 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$398,700
31% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$471,555
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,303/mo
1% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.5x
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 70.0%
Renter-occupied 30.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,303
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,917/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
18.0 min
33% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
10.9%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
3.0%
Work from home
15.1%

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
$73,384
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$42,851
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.0%
Labor Force Participation
52.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.8%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.4
Male median age 50.7
Female median age 55

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,541
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brookings, OR?

Brookings has a cost index of 118 (100 = national average). It is 18% above the national average.

What is average rent in Brookings, OR?

The median gross rent in Brookings is $1,303 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brookings?

The median home value in Brookings is $398,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brookings?

The median household income in Brookings is $73,384 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brookings, OR?

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

Is Brookings, OR affordable?

Brookings is above average in cost of living, with an index of 118 — about 18% higher than the national average.

Brookings at a Glance

Population
6,733
Median Income
$73,384
Home Value
$398,700
Median Rent
$1,303/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
0.0%
View all cities in Oregon →
🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

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