30 Affordable Small Cities on the West Coast
America’s continental West Coast has a reputation for costliness. Specifically, the states of California, Washington and Oregon – in addition to their natural beauty – are known for their expensive costs of living when compared to the rest of the United States.
However, each state still has a number of small cities that offer affordable living.
To locate these small cities, MoneyLion launched a study that analyzed data from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Economic Research and more in order to craft a list of the 30 most affordable small cities on the West Coast with populations under 10,000 residents. The cities were then organized from least costly to the most, creating a 30-city guide to affordability along the West Coast.
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Key Findings
California and Washington are equals: The Golden State and the Evergreen State each have 11 small cities on the list, with Oregon bringing up the rear with only eight.
Oregon achieves the lowest cost of living: While California and Washington take up the bulk of the 30 most affordable small cities on the West Coast, the two small towns with the lowest monthly cost of living belong to Oregon.
Affordable living is still possible in California: Despite California being one of the most expensive states in America, it has two cities on this list – Hayfork and Boron – with monthly costs of living below $3,000.
Check out 30 affordable cities on the West Coast.
Burns, Oregon
Median household income: $41,858
Average home value: $174,129
Average monthly cost of living: $2,782
Lakeview, Oregon
Median household income: $70,900
Average home value: $189,324
Average monthly cost of living: $2,830
Hayfork, California
Median household income: $44,434
Average home value: $152,089
Average monthly cost of living: $2,916
Boron, California
Median household income: $53,170
Average home value: $161,868
Average monthly cost of living: $2,957
Dayton, Washington
Median household income: $70,625
Average home value: $227,369
Average monthly cost of living: $2,995
Ritzville, Washington
Median household income: $56,442
Average home value: $230,214
Average monthly cost of living: $3,021
Hines, Oregon
Median household income: $78,355
Average home value: $218,338
Average monthly cost of living: $3,024
Coulee Dam, Washington
Median household income: $66,732
Average home value: $234,682
Average monthly cost of living: $3,036
Bridgeport, Washington
Median household income: $52,375
Average home value: $229,042
Average monthly cost of living: $3,065
Bodfish, California
Median household income: $39,863
Average home value: $185,890
Average monthly cost of living: $3,072
Weldon, California
Median household income: $35,221
Average home value: $186,598
Average monthly cost of living: $3,080
Pomeroy, Washington
Median household income: $52,104
Average home value: $240,154
Average monthly cost of living: $3,087
Kettleman City, California
Median household income: $47,743
Average home value: $208,507
Average monthly cost of living: $3,107
Taft, California
Median household income: $72,772
Average home value: $199,828
Average monthly cost of living: $3,131
Pilot Rock, Oregon
Median household income: $89,091
Average home value: $233,560
Average monthly cost of living: $3,139
Hoquiam, Washington
Median household income: $49,795
Average home value: $236,021
Average monthly cost of living: $3,142
Okanogan, Washington
Median household income: $68,611
Average home value: $261,645
Average monthly cost of living: $3,143
Needles, California
Median household income: $38,243
Average home value: $182,940
Average monthly cost of living: $3,144
Omak, Washington
Median household income: $76,544
Average home value: $254,501
Average monthly cost of living: $3,158
Oroville, Washington
Median household income: $39,755
Average home value: $256,295
Average monthly cost of living: $3,165
Heppner, Oregon
Median household income: $49,521
Average home value: $240,764
Average monthly cost of living: $3,180
Union Gap, Washington
Median household income: $59,651
Average home value: $249,175
Average monthly cost of living: $3,180
Lake Isabella, California
Median household income: $26,661
Average home value: $215,399
Average monthly cost of living: $3,236
Elgin, Oregon
Median household income: $57,750
Average home value: $257,074
Average monthly cost of living: $3,241
Dunsmuir, California
Median household income: $58,281
Average home value: $229,044
Average monthly cost of living: $3,244
Canyonville, Oregon
Median household income: $47,682
Average home value: $256,514
Average monthly cost of living: $3,252
Wofford Heights, California
Median household income: $38,686
Average home value: $221,189
Average monthly cost of living: $3,275
Toppenish, Washington
Median household income: $67,854
Average home value: $265,467
Average monthly cost of living: $3,278
John Day, Oregon
Median household income: $57,891
Average home value: $260,037
Average monthly cost of living: $3,280
Mojave, California
Median household income: $55,660
Average home value: $230,260
Average monthly cost of living: $3,285
Methodology: For this study, West Coast states were considered to be Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Using the United States Census 2024 five-year American Community Survey (ACS), locations with a total population between 1,000 and 10,000 were identified along with the total households, population ages 65 and over and median household income. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for January 2026. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated for each city. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling's BestPlaces. Using the national average expenditure costs for all households, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs can be calculated for each city. Using the average expenditure costs and mortgage cost, the total cost of living can be calculated for each city. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and included as supplemental information. The cities were sorted to show the cheapest cost of living first, representing the cheapest small cities to live on the West Coast. All data is up to date as of Feb. 23, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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