With summer temperatures skyrocketing nationwide and utility bills climbing right along with them, the fresh air and vibrant seasonal climate of Oregon might look better than ever.
Offering a high-quality, outdoorsy lifestyle with an overall lower cost of living than California prices, the Beaver State is known for balancing eclectic urban hubs like Portland with famously green, eco-conscious cities like Eugene and Corvallis.
But Oregon’s appeal goes far beyond city limits; the state’s tax structure is also friendly in a few ways. For starters, there is no state sales tax, meaning you generally avoid standard add-on taxes at checkout for items like clothing and groceries. Plus, Oregon enforces a state property tax cap that limits the growth of a property’s assessed value (though local approvals may still apply).
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So if you’re ready to live in Oregon without draining your savings, here are the ten cheapest places to look.
Cheapest places to live in Oregon
After ranking property tax bills from highest to lowest per county in Oregon, one thing’s for sure: Rural areas win out. You can generally find more affordable living in the countryside than in the hustle and bustle of a big city.
But if you’re ready to visit sweeping mountainscapes, archaeological digs, and relax in natural hot springs (and maybe want to commute for other enjoyments), check out these cheap places to live in Oregon.
Note: Kiplinger used the latest data presented by the Tax Foundation (sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau) to find the cheapest counties in Oregon to live.
Harney County
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Median property tax bill: $1,943
Median home price: $242,100
Home prices are relatively affordable in Harney County compared to the rest of the state, with the median sitting just over $242,000. Property tax bills are also comparatively reasonable, sliding in just under $1,950 per year according to the latest data from the Tax Foundation.
Outdoor adventurers enjoy exploring more than 10,000 square miles of Harney, the largest county in Oregon. The area is famous for its rugged, high-desert landscapes, including Steens Mountain — which features a scenic loop that climbs over 9,700 feet above sea level, winding past deep glacial canyons and wild horse pastures.
Residents also enjoy wind sailing, land paddling, or flying kites across the super-flat, cracked earth of the Alvord Desert Playa, or going for a relaxing soak in the natural mineral waters of Crane Hot Springs.
And if you’re drawn to unique geology and birdwatching, Harney’s Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area is one of the most volcanically diverse landscapes in the U.S., packed with distinctly shaped lava cones and craters. The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge also provides plenty of opportunities to spot bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and trumpeter swans.
Come to Harney County for the (more) accessible property tax bill, but stay for the wide-open rural charm of it all.
Gilliam County
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Median property tax bill: $1,904
Median home price: $189,300
Gilliam County has the most affordable homes on our list, with a median price sitting around $189,300. Located just under three hours east of Portland, the county’s median property taxes are also remarkably low, coming in barely over $1,900 per year according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
If you’re looking for uncrowded spaces on a dime in Oregon, Gilliam has you covered. As the third-least populated county in the Beaver State, the area offers an authentic blend of small-town living and outdoor recreation.
Year-round, anglers can cast a line for steelhead and bass fishing on the free-flowing John Day River. Alternatively, water lovers may also head up to the Port of Arlington along the Columbia River for paddleboarding and wind-propelled watersports.
And from May to October, residents can dive into the region’s deep frontier roots by visiting the Gilliam County Historical Museum in Condon. This historic site highlights 11 historic buildings, including one original 1884 homestead.
So whether you’re looking to protect your wallet from the Pacific Northwest’s higher cost of living or want to secure some true peace and quiet away from metro areas, Gilliam might just be the option for your family.
Douglas County
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Median property tax bill: $1,895
Median home price: $310,300
Homes in Douglas are priced slightly higher than those in other areas on our list, with a median value over $310,000. However, because the county has an effective property tax rate below the national average, the median property tax bill remains under $1,900, according to 2026 Tax Foundation data.
Beyond the numbers, Douglas County offers a high quality of life for foodies. The Umpqua Valley area, known for its rolling orchards and award-winning vineyards, is a local hotspot. And after enjoying a glass, residents can head over to the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area to watch Roosevelt elk grazing in the open pastures, or visit the region’s natural hot springs for a relaxing soak.
Animal lovers are also in for a treat with the Wildlife Safari in Winston. This drive-through animal park allows you to see ostriches, zebras, and other wildlife from the comfort of your own car.
Stop by Douglas County, Oregon, for the rich culture and conservation efforts, but stay to savor the surprisingly manageable property tax bill.
Wheeler County
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Median property tax bill: $1,893
Median home price: $272,400
Wheeler is the least-populated county in Oregon, with just around 1,450 people living within its boundaries, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Reflecting its quiet, rural footprint, the county features a highly affordable median property tax bill of $1,893. Home prices are similarly affordable in the state, with the median value at $272,400, according to the Tax Foundation.
Promoted as a “geologic wonderland,” Wheeler sits atop a treasure trove of prehistoric fossils. The county seat, aptly named Fossil, has a public dig site located right on the grounds of Wheeler High School. For a small donation that supports local school programs, it is one of the few places in the nation where the public can dig up authentic 33-million-year-old plant fossils.
Families also love exploring Painted Hills, where stunning, saturated stripes of red and gold clay make the landscape look like giant canvas paintings. And when you’re ready to transition back to the present day, the county still offers a rich collection of pastimes like river fishing, mountain camping, and a summer rodeo event.
Check out Wheeler if you’re hunting for a unique family destination — and you might just fall in love with the natural history and budget-friendly lifestyle.
Malheur County
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Median property tax bill: $1,860
Median home price: $248,900
Nestled along the Idaho and Nevada borders lies Malheur County, home to a relatively low median property tax bill of around $1,860. Prospective buyers will also find that home prices are highly affordable compared to the rest of Oregon, with the countywide median sitting at about $248,900 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Oregon Trail enthusiasts and history buffs might become smitten with the region. The historic city of Vale displays deeply carved, authentic wagon ruts left behind by pioneers during the Great Westward Expansion.
The county’s high-desert backyard is also full of natural hot springs, excellent boating and camping opportunities, and the famous “Pillars of Rome” — a series of majestic, 100-foot-tall clay cliffs that tower over the town of Rome.
To top it all off, the county is home to the grand Owyhee Canyonlands. This piece of remote wilderness has volcanic rock spires, red-rock chasms, and whitewater rafting, earning it the nickname “The Grand Canyon of Oregon.”
Visit Malheur County to explore the rugged wonders of Oregon’s hidden “canyon country,” and maybe make a home for the affordable property tax bill.
Curry County
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Median property tax bill: $1,841
Median home price: $381,300
Curry County has the highest median home price on our list at over $381,000, according to the latest data from the Tax Foundation. But despite carrying higher real estate prices, the median annual property tax bill sits very low at $1,841. This is because the county boasts the lowest effective property tax rate listed here at only 0.50% — well below the national average of .90%.
Home prices sit higher in Curry County because of its coveted location along the southern Oregon coast. Dramatic ocean cliffs give way to expansive sandy shorelines like Gold Beach, where salmon fishing and river jet boat tours are a regular part of local life.
Residents also enjoy beachcombing and tidepooling at Harris Beach State Park to search for colorful starfish, or hunting for rare sea agates along the shores of Port Orford’s Agate Beach.
For the avid seafarer, outdoor adventurer, or anyone who simply dreams of waking up to the Pacific Ocean views, Curry may help you to secure a slice of coastal paradise without being weighed down by a heavy property tax burden.
Klamath County
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Median property tax bill: $1,752
Median home price: $280,400
Home prices can be quite low in Klamath County compared to other major regions of Oregon, with a median price tag of only $280,400. Annual property tax bills can also be relatively cheap (about $1,752) according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. While it may not be the absolute lowest-priced entry on our list, Klamath has lower property tax bills than most surrounding counties.
Located just an hour and a half east of Medford, Klamath offers plenty to do. One shining feature is Crater Lake National Park — Oregon’s only national park, formed by a gigantic, collapsed volcano that now contains the deepest, clearest lake in the U.S.. Residents can drive the spectacular 33-mile Rim Drive, hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail to touch the water (which will reopen in 2029), or zipline through the dense surrounding canopy at Crater Lake Zipline.
Plus, nearby, the Lava Beds National Monument features 800 underground lava tube caves open for exploration. Or, you can head indoors to view a collection of over 100,000 Native American artifacts and historic western art at the Favell Museum.
Not for the faint of heart, Klamath attracts current and future explorers alike for its rough-and-tumble natural landscapes, ancient history, and relatively low property tax bills.
Grant County
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Median property tax bill: $1,674
Median home price: $229,700
Sequestered near the heart of the state is Grant County, Oregon, where home prices sit comfortably under $230,000. Property taxes are also quite low, costing a median of only $1,674 per year according to the latest data from the Tax Foundation.
Grant is a forerunner for 1860s gold rush history, pioneering, and the great outdoors stretching for miles in every direction. Residents can actually still explore historic mountain towns like Canyon City and John Day, where early prospectors once panned for gold. A major local highlight is the Kam Wah Chun Chinese State Heritage Site — a 19th-century trading post, dispensary, and cultural center that offers a rare look into the early lives of Chinese immigrants.
Additionally, you can easily connect with the county’s deep roots at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, or hike up to the dramatic wilderness of high-altitude alpine retreats like Strawberry Lakes.
So, if you’re a passionate history buff looking for a relaxed lifestyle away from city congestion, Grant offers a destination that might not strain your finances too much.
Sherman County
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Median property tax bill: $1,588
Median home price: $211,800
Sherman County home prices are typically on the low side, with the median value hovering around $211,800. Property tax bills are also cheaper, costing roughly $1,588 per year according to the Tax Foundation. To sweeten the deal, the county offers an annual Resident Incentive Program which pays out roughly $600 per household to those who move in and stay for at least one full year.
Home to fewer than 2,000 residents, Sherman is made for those who dream of a pastoral lifestyle. Golden, undulating wheat fields stretch across the landscape, dotted by modern wind turbines and backdropped by a stunning view of snow-capped volcanic peaks.
Locals can catch these famous canyon breezes via windsurfing and kiteboarding along the Columbia River, or head inland to hike the sun-banked canyon trails at Cottonwood Canyon State Park.
Communal ties also run deep here; every summer, the county hosts the Sherman County Fair and Rodeo, complete with livestock shows and local food trucks. Additionally, the Deschutes River (which borders the county) gives residents endless weekend opportunities for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and bass fishing.
Come to Sherman County, Oregon, for a slice of quiet, but stay for the lower property tax burden.
Lake County
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Median property tax bill: $1,563
Median home price: $219,500
Lake County stands out as the most affordable place to live in Oregon, boasting a median property tax bill of only $1,563 and an accessible median home price of roughly $219,500.
Appropriately nicknamed “Oregon’s Outback,” Lake County is vast, with sprawling cattle ranches, dramatic alkali lakes, and a county seat that sits at an elevation of 4,757 feet. Like other areas of Oregon, the region is known for plenty of rock collecting possibilities; rockhounds can hunt for shiny black volcanic glass at Glass Buttes, or head to the Bureau of Land Management public collection area to dig for sunstones — the state’s official state gem.
And for the stargazer in all of us, the county’s lack of major urban development means it’s home to some of the darkest night skies in the U.S.. Out here, the untamed canopy of stars showcases a clear view of the Milky Way that just might perfectly reflect the quiet, ancient beauty of the rocky desert floor below.
If you’re hunting for highly affordable property tax bills with Beaver State living, the cheapest place to live in Oregon might be right for you.