Cost of Living in North Plains, OR

With a cost of living index of 124, North Plains, OR is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 24% more expensive than the national average and 17% above the Oregon state average of 106. North Plains is a small community of 3,393 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in North Plains's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,373 (4% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $544,000 (78% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in North Plains is $108,618, which is 45% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 15% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to North Plains. The area sees an average annual temperature of 52.5°F, with summers averaging 65°F and winters around 41°F. Annual rainfall totals 35.9 inches spread over roughly 159 days.

Everyday prices in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.