Cost of Living in Milton-Freewater, OR

Population 7,096 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $47,440, median household incomes in Milton-Freewater land roughly 36% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. At 9.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Milton-Freewater lies roughly 130 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Spokane — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 36% lower than Spokane's $326,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Milton-Freewater

The median home value in Milton-Freewater is $209,800 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $817/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,440/year is 36% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, 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 64.0°F and lows of 44.7°F, with about 6.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Milton-Freewater has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$209,800
31% below avg
Median Rent
$817/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4x
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 41.8%
Renter-occupied 58.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$817
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,431/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
19.7 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
65.8%
Carpooled
16.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
5.9%
Work from home
7.2%

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
$47,440
36% below avg
Per Capita Income
$21,483
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
90% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor Force Participation
55.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.6%
Graduate degree 1.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.5
Male median age 33.3
Female median age 29.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.0°F
Avg Low
44.7°F
Annual Precip
18.7"
Annual Snowfall
6.5"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424756637179908979634941
Low °F 313338434955626254443630
Precip" 2.101.592.111.982.071.240.470.400.641.662.252.23
Snow" 1.02.20.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.32.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
71%
Good air days/yr
267
Max AQI recorded
240
PM2.5 days
125
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,671
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Milton-Freewater, OR?

Milton-Freewater has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Milton-Freewater, OR?

The median gross rent in Milton-Freewater is $817 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Milton-Freewater?

The median home value in Milton-Freewater is $209,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Milton-Freewater?

The median household income in Milton-Freewater is $47,440 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Milton-Freewater, OR?

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

Is Milton-Freewater, OR affordable?

Yes, Milton-Freewater is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Milton-Freewater?

Milton-Freewater has average high temperatures of 64.0°F and average lows of 44.7°F. Annual precipitation is 18.7". Average annual snowfall is 6.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Milton-Freewater at a Glance

Population
7,096
Median Income
$47,440
Home Value
$209,800
Median Rent
$817/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Avg High Temp
64.0°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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