Often referred to as the “best coast,” the left side of the U.S. can be a pretty amazing place to live. However, it’s also home to some of the most notoriously expensive cities in the country, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
By Jennifer Taylor
- Tigard, Oregon
- Richland, Washington
- Spokane Valley, Washington
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3. Tigard, Oregon
- 2022 One-Bedroom Rent: $1,344
- Livability: 76
- Cost-of-Living Index: 126.3
- Annual Cost of Living: $77,464.84
- Monthly Cost of Living: $6,455.40
- Monthly Expenditures: $7,799.40
At first glance, you might wonder why Tigard made a list of affordable cities. However, this Portland, Oregon, suburb has notable earning power.
Specifically, 29% of residents in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area earn at least $80,724 per year — assuming a year-round, 40-hour work week — according to May 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Put in context, this likely makes affording life in the city less of a stretch for many.
It’s also worth noting that Oregon doesn’t have sales tax, which allows residents to save big at local shopping centers like Washington Square and Bridgeport Village. As for quality of life, Tigard offers something for everyone, including a professional musical theater company, countless outdoor recreation opportunities and the area’s only public glass-blowing art studio.
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2. Richland, Washington
- 2022 One-Bedroom Rent: $1,182.17
- Livability: 80
- Cost-of-Living Index: 98.4
- Annual Cost of Living: $60,352.66
- Monthly Cost of Living: $5,029.39
- Monthly Expenditures: $6,211.55
Ideal for those who love the outdoors, Richland, Washington, has it all. From fishing, boating and water skiing to golfing and a paved five-mile trail, there’s something for everyone.
It’s also part of the Washington’s Tri-Cities area, which boasts more than 200 wineries in a 50-mile radius. Never a dull moment, there’s always more than a few events happening in the area, including community theater, a medieval renaissance fair, an annual classic car and street rod show and outdoor summer movies in the park.
At first glance, the cost of living might seem a bit high, but it’s actually on par with average local earnings. Specifically, the annual mean wage for all occupations is $60,470, as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. Spokane Valley, Washington
- 2022 One-Bedroom Rent: $1,104.67
- Livability: 75
- Cost-of-Living Index: 96.7
- Annual Cost of Living: $59,309.98
- Monthly Cost of Living: $4,942.50
- Monthly Expenditures: $6,047.16
Offering 260 days of sunshine per year, Spokane Valley, Washington, is located just outside the city of Spokane. Ideal for those who enjoy outdoor living, there’s plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing and water sports — a big theme in the Pacific Northwest.
Known for its trails, the 5.1-mile paved Appleway Trail was recently completed and the 40-mile Centennial Trail is beloved throughout the region. Golfers enjoy access to nine courses in the area and families flock to Green Bluff growers — a collection of farms and ranches — for fun events throughout the year. There’s also no shortage of big annual events, including Valleyfest, Northwest Winterfest, Cycle Celebration and Spokane Valley Summer Theatre.
The annual mean wage for all occupations is $55,800, as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is roughly on par with the average cost of living in the area.
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