D-
25%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
63%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Gresham Oregon National
Cost of living125112100
Goods & Services105104100
Groceries108107100
Health care118118100
Housing163124100
Transportation126119100
Utilities9895100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Gresham, OR

Knowing the cost of living in Gresham allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Gresham stands at 125, marking it 25% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Gresham is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Gresham falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Gresham, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 63.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Gresham?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Gresham. The feedback revealed that 38% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 63% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Gresham Affordable?

Is Gresham affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Gresham, the median home price is 78.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 27.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Gresham boasting a median household income of $86,729, 6.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gresham?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Gresham, healthcare costs are 17.8% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Gresham, the utilities index registers at 2.3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Gresham cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gresham is 11% higher than the Oregon average
  • The cost of living in Gresham is 25% higher than the national average
  • Gresham housing is 63% higher than the national average
  • Oregon general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Oregon state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Gresham

See all the best places to live around Gresham

Compare Gresham, OR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$120,893$10,074$2,821$3,627
      Renters$56,901$4,742$1,328$1,707
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Gresham, OR, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Gresham, the median monthly income is $120,893 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,821 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $56,901, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,328 on monthly rental expenses.

      Oregon Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oregon 0% 0%

      Oregon Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oregon 4.75% 9.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Haircut $40.08$27.6245.1%
      Beauty Salon $56.63$51.1110.8%
      Toothpaste $4.07$4.090.6%
      Shampoo $1.67$1.548.3%
      Movie $13.04$12.881.3%
      Yoga $22.43$19.6614.1%

      Groceries

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.98$7.703.6%
      Fried Chicken $2.48$1.6649.2%
      Milk $4.96$4.734.8%
      Potatoes $4.41$5.2616.1%
      Pizza $13.16$12.763.1%
      Beer $12.49$10.5518.4%

      Health Care

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $237.54$140.0669.6%
      Doctor $264.05$153.8271.7%
      Dentist $122.17$123.150.8%
      Ibuprofen $12.11$11.733.2%
      Lipitor $17.38$23.6126.4%

      Housing

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Home Price $583,356.00$326,622.0078.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,180.86$2,480.2528.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,836.00$1,444.0027.1%

      Transportation

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.87$3.0626.7%
      Tire Balancing $80.66$65.2123.7%

      Utilities

      Item Gresham National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $216.52$220.121.6%
      Phone $189.70$195.713.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Johnson City, OR5548515.1%
      Wood Village, OR4,1821099.0%
      Walnut Grove, WA9,54611313.1%
      Hazel Dell, WA22,53212322.8%
      Fairview, OR9,68012423.9%
      Gresham, OR114,45812524.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Everett, WA114,50313939.0%
      Pueblo, CO114,377928.0%
      Lakeland, FL114,288981.6%
      Miami Gardens, FL114,67211110.6%
      Lowell, MA114,17012828.1%
      Gresham, OR114,45812524.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.