F
51%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
151%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index West Linn Oregon National
Cost of living151111100
Goods & Services106105100
Groceries111109100
Health care110105100
Housing251123100
Transportation126117100
Utilities9696100

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Linn, OR

Getting a feel for the cost of living in West Linn is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in West Linn is 151, which is 51% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in West Linn is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, West Linn falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the West Linn cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 150.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, West Linn does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 10.5% higher than the national average.

Is West Linn Affordable?

Wondering if West Linn is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In West Linn, for example, the median home price is 186.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 68.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with West Linn boasting a median household income of $119,415, which is 115.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Linn?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In West Linn, the utilities index registers at 3.8% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in West Linn, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in West Linn is 36% higher than the Oregon average
  • The cost of living in West Linn is 51% higher than the national average
  • West Linn housing is 151% higher than the national average
  • Oregon general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Oregon state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around West Linn

See all the best places to live around West Linn

Compare West Linn, OR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$138,962$11,580$3,242$4,169
      Renters$49,826$4,152$1,163$1,495
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in West Linn, OR, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for West Linn homeowners, is $138,962. This would allow for a maximum of $3,242 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $49,826 which would result in a maximum of $1,163 to be spent on rental costs.

      Oregon Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oregon 0% 0%

      Oregon Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oregon 4.75% 9.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.22$24.2669.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.58$45.5633.0%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.5%
      Movie $12.98$12.136.9%
      Bowling $18.31$18.001.7%

      Groceries

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.03$1.5728.8%
      Milk $5.04$4.677.9%
      Potatoes $4.39$4.9311.1%
      Pizza $12.21$12.091.0%
      Beer $12.07$10.4115.9%

      Health Care

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.94$125.685.0%
      Doctor $188.49$135.7838.8%
      Dentist $115.08$113.291.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.58$10.658.7%
      Lipitor $386.53$468.6017.5%

      Housing

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      Home Price $528,600.00$184,700.00186.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,332.86$2,346.6942.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,597.00$949.0068.3%

      Transportation

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.16$3.4620.3%
      Tire Balancing $84.45$59.9240.9%

      Utilities

      Item West Linn National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.73$193.995.8%
      Phone $190.36$192.251.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Barlow, OR1851098.6%
      Johnson City, OR5398514.6%
      Donald, OR1,4651098.9%
      Wood Village, OR4,0691099.0%
      Hubbard, OR3,52712121.2%
      West Linn, OR26,76415151.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Colleyville, TX26,76615959.0%
      Winona, MN26,772955.5%
      Chaska, MN26,75311111.3%
      Prior Lake, MN26,77511616.2%
      Xenia, OH26,7518910.5%
      West Linn, OR26,76415151.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.