Three Oregon cities are among the “Best Places to Live in the U.S.” in 2025, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live report compiled 150 cities to highlight.
“To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life,” according to the report.
Here are where the three Oregon cities rank.
Portland
Portland ranked 41st in best places to live, receiving an overall score of 6.5 out of 10. It’s quality of life was rated 6.5 and 5.6 for value.
Portland was ranked highest among Oregon cities and came out on top for its many whimsical events some residents partake in like the naked bike ride, highlighting the “Keep Portland Weird” motto. It was also noted for its endless food options, independently owned businesses, arts and entertainment and outdoor activities.
Things that kept Portland from ranking higher on the list were the higher-than-national-average living expenses, with prices for home buyers and renters rising “faster than in many other similarly sized metro areas.”
Portland’s population was listed at just over 801,000, with a median age of 40, median home price of $557,348 and median monthly rent of $1,681, according to the report. Household income was listed as $99,991 and the unemployed rate was 5.52%.
Salem
Salem ranked 108th in best places to live, receiving an overall score of 6 out of 10. It’s quality of life was rated 6.1 and 6.1 for value.
The city was noted for its laid-back atmosphere, small town feel and abundance of things to do. Nearby vineyards, food options, arts, festivals and “vibrant culture” were praised.
Salem was found to have a slightly higher than the average cost of living in the U.S. but lower than the average for Oregon with housing costs considered more affordable than Portland. With a population of approximately 197,218 and median age of 38, Salem’s median home price was listed at $343,803 and median monthly rent was $1,351, according to the report. Household income was listed as $77,931 and the unemployment rate was 6%.
Eugene
Eugene ranked 115th in best places to live, receiving an overall score of 5.8 out of 10. Its quality of life was rated 6.3 and 5.3 for value.
The city was noted for its strong arts and culture scene as well as outdoor options and nearby mountains.
Eugene also has a higher-than-national-average rent and home buying costs. With a population of approximately 189,169 and median age of 39, Eugene’s median home price is $415,009 and median monthly rent is $1,364, according to the report. Household income was listed as $71,329 and unemployed rate at 7.02%.
How did US News and World Report determine the best places to live rankings?
To rank the cities, U.S. News and World Report looked at key metrics to access how good the city’s value was, how desirable of a place it was to live, strength of job market and how high the quality of life was.
The ranking was informed by data from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News & World Report’s internal resources, according to the organization.
Factors considered included quality of life index, weighted at 32%; the value index, weighted at 27%; the desirability index, weighted at 19%; and the job market index, weighted at 22%.
“The percent weighting for each index follows the answers from a February 2024 public survey in which people from across the country voted for what they believed was the most important factor to consider when choosing where to live,” according to the report authors.
The full report can be found online at https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live.
Top 10 best places to live in 2025-2026
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Naples, Florida
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Boise, Idaho
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Greenville, South Carolina
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Charlotte, North Carolina
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Raleigh, North Carolina
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Huntsville, Alabama
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Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Austin, Texas
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Boulder, Colorado
USA Today Network’s Rin Velasco and Brian Day contributed to this report.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Portland, Salem, Eugene ranked best places to live in Oregon
