Forest Grove, OR vs Independence, OR

Forest Grove, OR and Independence, OR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Forest Grove scores 118 while Independence scores 112 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Forest Grove is $1,393/month compared to $1,585/month in Independence — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Forest Grove has cheaper rent, Independence actually has lower median home values ($345,200 vs $464,300).

Median household income in Forest Grove is $81,998 compared to $79,158 in Independence (+3.6%). The higher salaries in Forest Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Forest Grove spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in Independence.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.5°F vs 54.1°F). Independence receives more rainfall at 40.1" per year compared to 35.9" in Forest Grove.