The Dalles, OR vs Tualatin, OR

The cost of living difference between The Dalles, OR and Tualatin, OR is dramatic. The Dalles is 33.8% cheaper than Tualatin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. The Dalles has a cost index of 92 while Tualatin sits at 139, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in The Dalles is $956/month compared to $1,729/month in Tualatin — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: The Dalles is more affordable at $318,400 median vs $595,800.

Median household income in The Dalles is $62,830 compared to $105,073 in Tualatin (-40.2%). While Tualatin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of The Dalles spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Tualatin.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.4°F vs 54.8°F). Tualatin receives more rainfall at 39.6" per year compared to 13.7" in The Dalles.