Cost of Living in Molalla, OR

Population 10,168 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023

128
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Molalla is a smaller Oregon community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $83,996 and housing costs ($417,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Molalla is about 25 miles south of Gresham, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Gresham's $440,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 137
Rent 114

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

About the Cost of Living in Molalla

The median home value in Molalla is $416,900 — 37% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,496/month, 14% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,996/year is 13% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, 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 64.4°F and lows of 45.1°F. Overall, Molalla has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$416,900
37% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$491,402
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,496/mo
14% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,857/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.2x
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 64.7%
Renter-occupied 35.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,496
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,110/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
36.6 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.5%
Carpooled
9.5%
Walked
2.8%
Work from home
13.9%

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
$83,996
13% above avg
Per Capita Income
$36,114
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
5% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
75.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.0%
Graduate degree 4.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.5
Male median age 34.4
Female median age 30.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
45.1°F
Annual Precip
39.6"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495357626975838377645448
Low °F 363739434852565652464036
Precip" 5.484.034.393.372.551.470.430.521.583.705.806.23

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 34 — Good
83.3%
Good air days/yr
125
Max AQI recorded
231
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
2,803
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Molalla, OR?

Molalla has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.

What is average rent in Molalla, OR?

The median gross rent in Molalla is $1,496 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Molalla?

The median home value in Molalla is $416,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Molalla?

The median household income in Molalla is $83,996 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Molalla, OR?

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

Is Molalla, OR affordable?

Molalla is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Molalla?

Molalla has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 45.1°F. Annual precipitation is 39.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Molalla at a Glance

Population
10,168
Median Income
$83,996
Home Value
$416,900
Median Rent
$1,496/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Avg High Temp
64.4°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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🗺️ County data for Oregon

Explore county-level cost of living data

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