Best suburbs in Portland, Oregon
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Best suburbs in Portland, Oregon
Image of Portland, Oregon
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Portland. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Portland.
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#10. Tigard, Oregon
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
– Population: 55,161
– Median home value: $525,100
– Median rental price: $1,644
– Top schools nearby: International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A), Lake Grove Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+
Laura Beach // Shutterstock
#9. Tualatin, Oregon
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
– Population: 27,804
– Median home value: $548,900
– Median rental price: $1,665
– Top schools nearby: Lakeridge High School (grade A+), River Grove Elementary School (grade A), Three Rivers Charter School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#8. West Slope, Oregon
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
– Population: 6,663
– Median home value: $658,200
– Median rental price: $1,536
– Top schools nearby: Sunset High School (grade A), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
#7. Raleigh Hills, Oregon
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
– Population: 6,737
– Median home value: $809,100
– Median rental price: $1,441
– Top schools nearby: International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A), Lincoln High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
#6. Oak Hills, Oregon
A family playing soccer together.
– Population: 11,780
– Median home value: $608,800
– Median rental price: $1,820
– Top schools nearby: Sunset High School (grade A), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
#5. West Linn, Oregon
Happy young family sitting in a park.
– Population: 27,167
– Median home value: $677,500
– Median rental price: $1,907
– Top schools nearby: Lakeridge High School (grade A+), Three Rivers Charter School (grade A), West Linn High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Islamic School of Muslim Educational Trust (MET) (grade A+), St. Mary’s Academy (grade A+), St. Stephen’s Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+
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#4. Lake Oswego, Oregon
Happy family in backyard with dog.
– Population: 40,457
– Median home value: $825,000
– Median rental price: $1,979
– Top schools nearby: Lake Oswego Senior High School (grade A+), Lakeridge High School (grade A+), Oak Creek Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+
F8 studio // Shutterstock
#3. Cedar Hills, Oregon
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
– Population: 9,076
– Median home value: $555,600
– Median rental price: $1,421
– Top schools nearby: Sunset High School (grade A), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
FamVeld // Shutterstock
#2. Cedar Mill, Oregon
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
– Population: 19,151
– Median home value: $815,200
– Median rental price: $1,721
– Top schools nearby: Sunset High School (grade A), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Mountainside High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
#1. Bethany, Oregon
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
– Population: 30,983
– Median home value: $669,200
– Median rental price: $2,028
– Top schools nearby: Sunset High School (grade A), International School of Beaverton – High School (grade A), Lincoln High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Catlin Gabel School (grade A+), Oregon Episcopal School (grade A+), Jesuit High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
