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City Housing Verdict

Astoria, OR

High Pressure

The cost of living in Astoria, OR is 9% above the national average (Cost Index: 109). Homes here are typically valued around $422,400, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $70,043 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Astoria already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 19% rent burden, 6x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 139. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Astoria.

Monthly Housing
$1,135/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
19%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$4,202/mo
After housing and debt · $1,401/person
Rent vs Buy
Rent first
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: nonmetroHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 28%
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Cost Index
109
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$422,400
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$70,043
National: $78,538
Population
10,162
Purchasing Power
82
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
139 / 100
39% above average
Rent Index
84 / 100
16% below average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Utilities
88 / 100
12% lower utility bills
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Healthcare & Services
98 / 100
In line with national average
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Overall Index
109
Average

Astoria Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $422,400 and Oregon's property tax rate of 0.93%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$70,043
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
19%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
6x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Astoria looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Astoria, OR

Est. Annual Property Tax
$3,928
Monthly Impact
$327
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.93%
National avg: ~1.00%

Oregon Place Tax Context

Tax TypeOregonNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.93%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate9.9%~5.0%
State Sales TaxNo Sales Tax~5.0%

Compare Astoria to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Astoria, OR
109
84
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Astoria, OR: 139
Rent Prices
84

FAQ: Living in Astoria

What is the cost of living like in Astoria, OR?+

Living costs in Astoria land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 109 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $422,400, and typical monthly rents run around $1,135. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

How does Astoria fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,135, while local median household income is $70,043. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 19% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Astoria, OR?+

Oregon has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. The effective property tax rate is 0.93%. On a home worth $422,400, that translates to roughly $3,928 per year in property taxes. There is no state sales tax.

How much does it cost to rent in Astoria, OR?+

The typical monthly rent in Astoria is around $1,135. That's roughly 16% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $422,400, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Astoria, OR?+

The median home in Astoria is valued at $422,400. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $2,136/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 50% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Astoria?+

Grocery prices in Astoria are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Astoria, OR like to live in?+

Astoria is a small town with a population of about 10,162. The median age of residents is 39.9, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 14.16%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Oregon

If Astoria feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Oregon

Use these city pages when you want to compare Astoria against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly