Cost of Living
Housing in Baker, Grant, Harney and Union counties costs far less than in Oregon as a whole.
The median home value in our four counties ranges from $229,700 to $294,600. That is at least 38% below the Oregon median of $477,600 and below the national median of $332,700. Rent follows the same pattern: median gross rent here runs $684 to $982 a month, compared with $1,525 statewide.
The gap holds even against local paychecks. A median home here costs 3.9 to 4.7 years of median household income, compared with 5.8 years statewide.
Nearby cities cost more. The median home value is $512,300 in Ada County, home to Boise; $650,900 in Deschutes County, home to Bend; and $552,700 in Multnomah County, home to Portland.
Time counts too. The average commute here runs 14 to 20 minutes, compared with 26 minutes nationally.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates.