Do you think you’re middle-class in Oregon?
The level of income that defines a household as “middle class” changes regularly with inflation and the cost of living. The socioeconomic label is informal, but a recent study from GoBankingRates explored what level of income is needed in each state to be considered middle class, including Oregon.
Mississippi, Arkansas and West Virginia had the lowest threshold to be considered middle class. In Mississippi, a two-person household needed to make just $41,999 a year to meet the GoBankingRate criteria.
On the other hand, Maryland and Massachusetts required the most income to be considered middle class. A two-person household in Maryland would need $71,611, nearly doubling the requirement in Mississippi.
What income qualifies as middle class in Oregon?
People gather at the Downtown Riverfront Plaza for the grand opening Sept. 12, 2025.
Oregon has a lower cost of living than its West Coast neighbors of Washington and California, but a higher cost of living than its Mountain West neighbors of Idaho and Nevada. As such, its middle-class income range fell in between those states.
Here’s what it takes to be considered middle class in Oregon, according to GoBankingRate’s analysis.2-person family middle-class income range: $57,795 to $173,3863-person family middle-class income range: $70,143 to $210,4304-person family middle-class income range: $82,018 to $246,054
What is the average cost of living in Oregon?
A living wage calculator from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimates that for a one-adult, zero-child household, you’ll need to make at least $52,328 per year in Oregon. This gross income accounts for housing costs, utilities, internet, transportation costs and more. For a two-adult, zero-child household that number bumps up to $71,871.
This number is a statewide average and drops outside the Portland and Bend metro areas.
MIT said the cost of living in the Eugene-Springfield area was $47,680 for a single, childless adult and $66,674 for a household with two adults and no children. In the Salem area the number was $49,612 for an adult with no kids and $68,087 for two adults with no kids.
Where does Oregon rank in cost of living?
The cost of living in Oregon is 12% higher than the national average, according to World Population Review.
U.S. News and World Report ranked Oregon as No. 43 in its cost of living analysis, naming it the eighth most expensive state to live. The states dubbed as having the lowest cost of living are Arkansas and Mississippi, which is consistent with the GoBankingRates data.
What part of Oregon is the cheapest to live in?
Not every region in Oregon is equal. Naturally, the Portland metro area was the most expensive part of the state.
On the other hand, Medford and Springfield are the most economical places for those seeking a lower cost of living, according to Redfin.
Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached byemail at atorres@registerguard.com, on X @alanfryetorres or on Reddit at u/AlfrytRG.
Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Allison Kiehl contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Are you middle class in Oregon? See what income levels qualify
