When people talk about housing affordability, it’s easy to assume the conversation is black and white: either homes are affordable, or they’re not. The truth is where you are looking can have a big impact. 

Using year to date median sale prices for 2025, we can see very clearly how different suburbs, counties and cities stack up. Some areas remain within reach. Others are stretching budgets. And a few have clearly moved into premium territory where affordability requires higher incomes, more equity, or creative financing.

Let’s break it down.

More Affordable Areas: Where the Numbers Still Work

These neighborhoods come in below the regional median sale price, making them more affordable.

Columbia County – $459,000
Columbia County continues to stand out as one of the most attainable options in the region. For those willing to trade a longer commute for more space or land. My latest listing to go pending was a single level 3 bedroom home on a quarter acre for just $400,000. 

SE Portland – $469,000
Southeast Portland remains one of the more approachable entry points within the city itself. It's still a pretty HOT market in there, so if you find a home that is dialed in and ready to go expect there to be some competition. 

North Portland – $480,000
North Portland has quietly maintained relative affordability compared to other close-in neighborhoods. If you are attracted to this area you'll likely find a balance of proximity, character, and pricing that still works within realistic monthly payments.

Gresham / Troutdale – $480,000
Gresham and Troutdale continue to serve as important affordability anchors for the metro area. This area might work for you if you want newer construction, larger lots, or simply more house for the money. Plus a bonus, you're just that much closer to Mt Hood for all your outdoor weekend fun!

Yamhill County – $484,800
Yamhill County rounds out the more affordable category, offering a combination of small-town living, wine country appeal, and pricing that remains below the metro median. This area might also be for folks who work in Salem OR Portland, as long as they are open to that commute! 

Market Median Areas: Close to the Regional Benchmark

These areas sit near the 2025 regional median sale price of $549,000, meaning affordability depends more heavily on interest rates, down payment size, and personal financial structure.

Hillsboro / Forest Grove – $518,000
Still slightly below the regional median, Hillsboro and Forest Grove remain popular with buyers seeking access to major employers while staying relatively price-conscious.

NE Portland – $519,500
Northeast Portland continues to straddle the line between affordability and premium pricing. Buyers here often pay for location, walkability, and established neighborhoods, but pricing hasn’t completely detached from the broader market. The market can be considered HOT here as well for homes that are updated and show beautifully! 

Beaverton / Aloha – $549,900
Sitting almost exactly at the regional median, Beaverton and Aloha represent what “average” affordability looks like. For many buyers, this is the tipping point where careful planning becomes essential.

Premium Areas: Where Affordability Becomes a Stretch

In these locations, median sale prices exceed what a median-income household can comfortably afford under standard lending guidelines. Buying here often requires higher incomes, existing equity, or strategic long-term planning.

Tigard / Wilsonville / Oregon City – $617,000
These markets offer strong schools, amenities, and access to major corridors—but at a cost. For many buyers, affordability here depends on dual incomes or larger down payments.

West Portland – $660,000
West Portland has moved firmly into premium territory. The combination of location, views, and limited inventory continues to push prices and attract higher earning professionals.

NW Washington County – $700,000
With newer developments and high demand, NW Washington County has seen prices rise well above the metro median.

Lake Oswego / West Linn – $850,000
This is one of the most sought after areas in the report. Lake Oswego and West Linn consistently command top-tier pricing, reflecting school districts, lifestyle amenities, and long-term desirability. For most buyers, entering this market requires substantial income or equity.

The Bigger Picture

Affordability in 2026 is still a challenge for many, but there are some savvy, motivated buyers out there scoring great deals right now. I had a client recently that bought in Columbia County and negotiated almost 10% of the purchase price in repairs paid for by the seller.  

If you feel priced out of one neighborhood try looking in another area. Often times your first home doesn't check every box, but almost guaranteed your second one down the road will do better. Understanding how pricing shifts from area to area allows you to adjust expectations, explore alternatives, and make confident decisions rather than emotional ones.

Those who are finding the most success right now aren’t chasing headlines. They’re studying neighborhoods, understanding trade-offs, and focusing on what truly fits their budget and lifestyle.

And in this market, that clarity makes all the difference.

Contact me through the website to take the next step in finding a new place to live that fits your budget. 

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