Cost of Living in Forest Grove, OR

Population 26,406 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

134
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Forest Grove cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $464,000, rents near $1,393 a month.

Forest Grove sits roughly 8 miles west of Hillsboro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Hillsboro's $483,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 106

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

About the Cost of Living in Forest Grove

The median home value in Forest Grove is $464,300 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,393/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,998/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 63.4°F and lows of 41.5°F. Overall, Forest Grove has a cost of living index of 134 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$464,300
52% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$520,993
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,393/mo
6% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,720/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.8x
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 62.3%
Renter-occupied 37.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,393
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,007/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
29.1 min
8% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.5%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
4.5%
Walked
6.8%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
9.4%

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
$81,998
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,726
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
9% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.6
Male median age 34.1
Female median age 35.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.4°F
Avg Low
41.5°F
Annual Precip
35.9"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475156616974828276645346
Low °F 343437394549525248413733
Precip" 5.273.973.702.572.021.310.370.481.383.375.446.05

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 36 — Good
73.7%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
219
PM2.5 days
142
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
6,051
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Grove, OR?

Forest Grove has a cost index of 134 (100 = national average). It is 34% above the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Grove, OR?

The median gross rent in Forest Grove is $1,393 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Grove?

The median home value in Forest Grove is $464,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forest Grove?

The median household income in Forest Grove is $81,998 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Grove, OR?

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

Is Forest Grove, OR affordable?

Forest Grove is above average in cost of living, with an index of 134 — about 34% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Forest Grove?

Forest Grove has average high temperatures of 63.4°F and average lows of 41.5°F. Annual precipitation is 35.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forest Grove at a Glance

Population
26,406
Median Income
$81,998
Home Value
$464,300
Median Rent
$1,393/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
View all cities in Oregon →
🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs