Cost of Living in Klamath Falls, OR

Population 21,879 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Household incomes in Klamath Falls run well below national norms — a median of $47,268 versus the $74,580 US figure. Housing costs and rents do not fully compensate for the earnings difference. Around 23% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 130 miles south of Bend, Klamath Falls is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 60% lower than Bend's $647,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Klamath Falls

The median home value in Klamath Falls is $257,400 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $962/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,268/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.5%, 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 62.0°F and lows of 32.3°F. Overall, Klamath Falls has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$257,400
16% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$303,302
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$962/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,226/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3x
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 48.2%
Renter-occupied 51.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$962
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,576/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
15.5 min
43% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.8%
Carpooled
9.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
4.8%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
5.8%

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
$47,268
37% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,828
Unemployment Rate
10.5%
118% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.2%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.3%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.7
Male median age 33.9
Female median age 37.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.0°F
Avg Low
32.3°F
Annual Precip
11.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424652586776868578644940
Low °F 222427293641484739312521
Precip" 1.511.121.031.061.040.660.220.280.300.741.381.80

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
59.2%
Good air days/yr
181
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

80.7%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
30
Public schools
9,773
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Klamath Falls, OR?

Klamath Falls has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Klamath Falls, OR?

The median gross rent in Klamath Falls is $962 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Klamath Falls?

The median home value in Klamath Falls is $257,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Klamath Falls?

The median household income in Klamath Falls is $47,268 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Klamath Falls, OR?

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

Is Klamath Falls, OR affordable?

Yes, Klamath Falls is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Klamath Falls?

Klamath Falls has average high temperatures of 62.0°F and average lows of 32.3°F. Annual precipitation is 11.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Klamath Falls at a Glance

Population
21,879
Median Income
$47,268
Home Value
$257,400
Median Rent
$962/mo
Unemployment
10.5%
Avg High Temp
62.0°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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