Living in Gresham, OR
Explore Things to Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Gresham, OR? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Gresham, OR

Outdoor lovers travel far and wide to visit the scenic vistas, including waterfalls and ski resorts, near Gresham, a Portland suburb of 107,312 residents tucked in the Willamette Valley. But those moving to Gresham are lucky to have easy access to these bucket-list-worthy Pacific Northwest natural attractions, including the mighty and majestic Multnomah Falls and the peaceful Mount Hood National Forest.

The city ranks high in the environment and amenities category, and residents are stewards of these beautiful landscapes. Skiers and snowboarders are just 50 miles from Mount Hood’s resorts, making it easy to chase powder on winter weekends. Lace up your hiking boots or pack a tent and sleeping bag in the warmer months because the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is just 15 minutes away. The Columbia River Gorge offers epic hikes among towering trees and cascading waterfalls, plus it has campsites if you’re hankering for an outdoorsy staycation close to home. 

Beyond the impressive outdoor attractions in Gresham’s orbit, Portland is less than 20 minutes away, which means locals are close to the city’s famed coffee scene, fantastic restaurants and food carts, independent bookstores, museums, famed rose garden and international airport. Close to home, residents can shop at local stores and dine at local restaurants in the city’s historic downtown. Fun community events like free summer concerts, trick-or-treating and Dia de Los Muertos celebrations downtown bring neighbors together. In July, the Festival of Arts draws more than 150 juried artists, and you can enjoy delicious cuisine from food trucks and live music while you shop for art.

Top Reasons to Move to Gresham

• Known as the Gateway to the Gorge, thanks to its easy access to Multnomah Falls, the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood, Gresham is a nature lover’s paradise.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Gresham, and the city’s economy is stable.
• Compared to other cities in the region, Gresham is more affordable.
• Getting around Gresham is a breeze, and the MAX Blue Line gets residents to downtown Portland in 45 minutes or less.

Gresham is a welcoming city just east of Portland, along U.S. Route 26, and part of the Portland metro area. Portland International Airport is about 15 miles west, making flights easily accessible. When you’re ready to roam, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Portland, OR, is just 15 miles west, where you can visit Powell’s City of Books or the Portland Japanese Garden.
• Vancouver, WA, sits 20 miles northwest, offering Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the Pearson Air Museum.
• Salem, OR, is about 55 miles south, home to the Oregon State Capitol and the Willamette Heritage Center.

The area has a classic Pacific Northwest vibe. Think cool, mild summers perfect for outdoor adventures, and winters that are definitely on the chilly and wet side. You’ll get plenty of rain throughout the year, but snow is rare. 

The city’s great location near Portland – Oregon’s most populous city – sets businesses up for success. In recent years, the city has actively been working to attract and retain talent, and that work is paying off. The three largest industries here are health care, manufacturing and retail. Some of the largest employers include Adventist Health Portland, Gresham-Barlow School District and the City of Gresham. Costco also has a significant presence in the city. Local efforts to promote economic development in recent years and its relatively affordable housing market contribute to the city’s economic stability and potential future growth. 

The cost of living in Gresham is above the national average. The median home value in Gresham is $459,404, and the average household income is $78,108.

There is a state income tax in Oregon. However, Oregon doesn’t have a sales tax, so the combined sales tax rate in Gresham in 2026 is 0%.

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Catch a space exploration show at Mount Hood Community College’s Planetarium Sky Theatre, learn about the area’s history at the Gresham History Museum, which is housed in a beautiful brick Tudor Revival building, and see artifacts from the city’s early pioneer days at the Zimmerman House.

Portland’s proximity opens up all kinds of fun weekend itineraries, too, like a visit to Rose City Book Pub, where you can enjoy a beer and books, and a visit to the International Rose Test Garden, where, from May to October, 610 different varieties of roses bloom. 

The city is also centrally located near some of the Pacific Northwest’s gems. For a weekend day trip, head to the Oregon Coast: Cannon Beach, which is often named one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, is reachable in under two hours.

The great outdoors is synonymous with the Pacific Northwest, and the city lives up to the PNW’s reputation. Its park system comprises more than 300 acres of parkland, 840 acres of natural areas and miles of trails. There are dozens of parks throughout town, too! Hogan Butte Nature Park and Main City Park are local favorites. Witness the beauty of Multnomah Falls, a magical 620-foot waterfall, and for added adventure, lace up your hiking boots and huff it up to the top of the falls. You’ll gain 600 feet of elevation (which is like climbing 60 flights of stairs but on steep terrain). A more moderate 2.4-mile hike on the Gresham Butte Saddle Trail delivers stellar views of Mount Hood. In warmer months, head 15 minutes out of town to Oxbow Regional Park on the Sandy River Gorge and go for a float in a tube or get out on the water in a kayak.

There are no surprises here – Portland’s coffee culture spills over into Gresham, and you’ll have no problem finding a favorite coffee shop for remote work or meeting up with a friend for a cup of joe. 

Sample the local food scene in the city’s historic downtown, where you can choose between a couple of dozen bagel varieties and enjoy jazz music at the aptly named Jazzy Bagels, savor Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes at Nicholas Restaurant or grab a burger and fries at The Local Cow. In nearby Portland, visiting the famed food carts at Cartopia is a must-do. 

Local schools are diverse in both their offerings and student populations. The Gresham-Barlow School District, where more than 11,000 students are enrolled, is the primary public school district in the area. The district offers a range of programs and schools and focuses on providing multiple pathways for students to succeed, including alternative and virtual learning options. A couple of local private schools provide more individualized curriculum and attention; these schools range from religiously affiliated schools to non-sectarian and college preparatory options. Charter schools are also a popular option for area students.