Best Cities for Software Engineers in Oregon
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $110,000 salary
Oregon has 7 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For software engineers earning around $110,000 annually, Grants Pass stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 87.3 and $68,519 left after taxes and rent. Corvallis is the priciest metro at 119.3 on the index, 32 points above Grants Pass.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grants Pass | 87.3 | $1,363 |
| 2 | Salem | 95.7 | $1,560 |
| 3 | Medford | 101.3 | $1,530 |
| 4 | Eugene-Springfield | 102.1 | $1,688 |
| 5 | Albany | 108.6 | $1,500 |
| 6 | Bend-Redmond | 111.1 | $1,784 |
| 7 | Corvallis | 119.3 | $1,622 |
Net income = $110,000 salary − federal & Oregon state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $110,000 salary for software engineers who build software and applications, after applying 2026 federal and Oregon state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Oregon for software engineers?
Grants Pass is the most affordable city in Oregon for software engineers, with a cost-of-living index of 87.3 (national average = 100). On a $110,000 salary, you'd have approximately $68,519 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do software engineers earn in Oregon?
Software Engineers in Oregon earn around $110,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $18,936 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Oregon cities?
Across 7 metro areas in Oregon, the average cost-of-living index is 104 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Grants Pass at 87.3, while Corvallis is the most expensive at 119.3—a difference of 32 index points.
Other Rankings in Oregon
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