The Dalles, OR vs West Linn, OR

The cost of living difference between The Dalles, OR and West Linn, OR is dramatic. The Dalles is 42% cheaper than West Linn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. The Dalles has a cost index of 92 while West Linn sits at 158, 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 $2,006/month in West Linn — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: The Dalles is more affordable at $318,400 median vs $733,300.

Median household income in The Dalles is $62,830 compared to $138,526 in West Linn (-54.6%). While West Linn 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, more than the 17.4% in West Linn.

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