When considering where to retire in Oregon, several important factors come into play that can significantly impact your retirement experience. Our comprehensive analysis evaluates communities based on five key criteria: Overall Retirement Score, Walkability, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly rating. These metrics together provide a holistic view of what each town offers retirees seeking comfort, convenience, and quality of life.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Oregon’s worst towns for retirees.
Here’s the list.
17. St. Helens
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.06
- Walkability: 75.03
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 34.69
- Vibrant Score: 66.59
- Transit-Friendly: 8.34
About St. Helens
St. Helens tops our list with the highest Overall Retirement Score among the worst retirement towns at 33.06. Interestingly, the town scores quite well in Walkability (75.03) and Vibrant Score (66.59), but falls short in Urban Sophistication with a score of 34.69. Public transportation options are severely limited with a Transit-Friendly score of just 8.34. The median home price in St. Helens is $443,429, which is in the mid-range of towns on our list.
16. Gervais
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.39
- Walkability: 16.22
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 18.81
- Vibrant Score: 31.59
- Transit-Friendly: 51.28
About Gervais
Gervais has an Overall Retirement Score of 32.39, ranking it 16th on our list. The town performs poorly in most categories, with very low Walkability (16.22), poor Urban Sophistication (18.81), and a low Vibrant Score (31.59). Its only redeeming quality is a moderate Transit-Friendly score of 51.28. The median home price in Gervais is $689,321, which is quite high considering its poor retirement amenities.
15. Nyssa
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.18
- Walkability: 26.55
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.81
- Vibrant Score: 30.81
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About Nyssa
Nyssa ranks 15th with an Overall Retirement Score of 32.18, despite having poor scores across most categories. The town has low Walkability (26.55), extremely poor Urban Sophistication (5.81), and a low Vibrant Score (30.81). Nyssa offers no public transportation options. The median home price in Nyssa is $517,406, which seems disproportionately high given its poor performance on retirement metrics.
14. Hermiston
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.73
- Walkability: 32.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 29.59
- Vibrant Score: 43.54
- Transit-Friendly: 8.34
About Hermiston
Hermiston ties with Woodburn with an Overall Retirement Score of 29.73, but has lower scores across most individual categories. The town has below-average Walkability (32.32), poor Urban Sophistication (29.59), and a moderate Vibrant Score (43.54). Public transportation options are severely limited with a Transit-Friendly score of just 8.34. The median home price in Hermiston is $229,552, making it relatively affordable compared to other towns on this list.
13. Woodburn
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.73
- Walkability: 59.42
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 28.72
- Vibrant Score: 70.82
- Transit-Friendly: 11.65
About Woodburn
Woodburn has an Overall Retirement Score of 29.73. The town offers decent Walkability (59.42) and a good Vibrant Score (70.82), but falls short in Urban Sophistication (28.72) and has very limited public transportation options with a Transit-Friendly score of just 11.65. The median home price in Woodburn is $228,733, making it one of the more affordable options on our list.
12. Gresham
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.11
- Walkability: 70.45
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 43.9
- Vibrant Score: 67.03
- Transit-Friendly: 65.11
About Gresham
Gresham ranks 12th with an Overall Retirement Score of 29.11. Interestingly, the town scores quite well in several categories, including Walkability (70.45), Vibrant Score (67.03), and Transit-Friendly (65.11). Its Urban Sophistication score is moderate at 43.9. Despite these relatively good scores in individual categories, its Overall Retirement Score remains low. The median home price in Gresham is $736,387, which is among the highest on our list.
11. Umatilla
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.9
- Walkability: 19.88
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 40.77
- Vibrant Score: 30.8
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About Umatilla
Umatilla scores 27.9 on the Overall Retirement Score. The town has very poor Walkability at 19.88, below-average Urban Sophistication at 40.77, and a low Vibrant Score of 30.8. Like several other towns on this list, Umatilla lacks public transportation options. The median home price in Umatilla is $437,048, which is relatively high given the limited retirement amenities.
10. Boardman
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.17
- Walkability: 3.69
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 4.31
- Vibrant Score: 24.24
- Transit-Friendly: 24.19
About Boardman
Boardman ranks 10th with an Overall Retirement Score of 27.17, despite having extremely poor scores in most categories. The town has abysmal Walkability (3.69) and Urban Sophistication (4.31) scores, with below-average ratings for Vibrant Score (24.24) and Transit-Friendly (24.19). The median home price in Boardman is $529,914, which seems excessively high given the town’s poor performance across retirement metrics.
9. Cornelius
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.63
- Walkability: 35.99
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 34.75
- Vibrant Score: 45.26
- Transit-Friendly: 49.74
About Cornelius
Cornelius has an Overall Retirement Score of 26.63, with below-average performance in most categories. The town scores 35.99 for Walkability, 34.75 for Urban Sophistication, and 45.26 for Vibrant Score. Its Transit-Friendly score is just under 50. The median home price in Cornelius is quite high at $721,731, which may represent poor value considering its mediocre retirement amenities.
8. Fairview
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.51
- Walkability: 41.43
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 46.6
- Vibrant Score: 62.34
- Transit-Friendly: 59.71
About Fairview
Fairview ranks 8th with an Overall Retirement Score of 25.51. The town has moderate scores for Urban Sophistication (46.6) and Transit-Friendly (59.71), with a relatively good Vibrant Score of 62.34. However, its Walkability score is below average at 41.43. The median home price in Fairview is $283,447, offering reasonable value compared to some other locations on this list.
7. Harrisburg – Halsey
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 24.78
- Walkability: 24.72
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 34.32
- Vibrant Score: 21.99
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About Harrisburg – Halsey
The Harrisburg-Halsey area scores 24.78 on the Overall Retirement Score. The area performs poorly in Walkability (24.72), Urban Sophistication (34.32), and Vibrant Score (21.99), with no public transportation options available. These metrics indicate limited amenities and infrastructure for retirees. The median home price in the Harrisburg-Halsey area is $277,692, making it one of the more affordable options on our list.
6. White City
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 24.19
- Walkability: 45.51
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 32.18
- Vibrant Score: 33.93
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About White City
White City ranks 6th with an Overall Retirement Score of 24.19. The town has moderate Walkability at 45.51 but scores below average for Urban Sophistication (32.18) and Vibrant Score (33.93). Like several other towns on this list, White City lacks public transportation options. The median home price is relatively high at $638,582, which may not represent good value given the limited retirement amenities available.
5. Irrigon
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 22.22
- Walkability: 8.78
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 22.13
- Vibrant Score: 14.68
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About Irrigon
Irrigon has an Overall Retirement Score of 22.22, with notably poor performance across all other metrics. The town scores extremely low in Walkability (8.78), Urban Sophistication (22.13), and Vibrant Score (14.68), while offering no public transportation options. These scores reflect a community with limited amenities and infrastructure for retirees. The median home price in Irrigon is $382,366, placing it in the mid-range of communities on our list.
4. Independence
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.29
- Walkability: 59.98
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.96
- Vibrant Score: 61.04
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About Independence
Independence scores 19.29 on the Overall Retirement Score, placing it 4th on our list. The town offers decent Walkability at 59.98 and a reasonable Vibrant Score of 61.04, but lacks in Urban Sophistication with a score of 36.96. One major drawback is the complete absence of public transportation options, indicated by a Transit-Friendly score of 0. The median home price in Independence is $226,352, making it one of the more affordable options on our list.
3. Troutdale
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.71
- Walkability: 60.88
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 53.18
- Vibrant Score: 76.9
- Transit-Friendly: 37.07
About Troutdale
Troutdale has a low Overall Retirement Score of 17.71 despite having moderately good scores in several categories. The town performs reasonably well in Walkability (60.88), Urban Sophistication (53.18), and has an impressive Vibrant Score of 76.9. Its Transit-Friendly score of 37.07 is below average but not the worst on our list. With a median home price of $788,461, Troutdale is one of the most expensive communities on our list, which may further reduce its appeal to retirees on fixed incomes.
2. McDermitt
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 13.66
- Walkability: 0
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 0.04
- Vibrant Score: 0
- Transit-Friendly: 0
About McDermitt
McDermitt scores extremely poorly across virtually all retirement criteria with a retirement score of just 13.66. The town received zeros in Walkability, Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly categories, along with a negligible 0.04 for Urban Sophistication. These numbers indicate a severe lack of amenities and infrastructure for retirees. The median home price in McDermitt is $476,471, which seems disproportionately high considering the lack of retirement-friendly features.
1. Wood Village
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 8.13
- Walkability: 77.48
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 26.45
- Vibrant Score: 93.17
- Transit-Friendly: 48.82
About Wood Village
Wood Village ranks at the bottom of our retirement locations with the lowest Overall Retirement Score of just 8.13 out of 100. While the town scores exceptionally well for Walkability (77.48) and has an impressive Vibrant Score (93.17), it falls short in Urban Sophistication with only 26.45 points. Transportation options are moderate with a Transit-Friendly score of 48.82. The median home price in Wood Village is $209,183, making it one of the more affordable options on our list despite its low retirement suitability.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Retirement Score: A comprehensive metric that evaluates a town’s suitability for retirees, incorporating factors such as healthcare accessibility, senior services, safety, tax friendliness, recreational opportunities, and climate, among others. This score serves as the primary ranking factor in our assessment.
- Walkability: Measures how easy it is to navigate the town on foot, considering factors like sidewalk availability, pedestrian safety, and proximity of essential services. This is particularly important for seniors who may no longer drive or prefer to minimize driving.
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): Evaluates the availability of cultural attractions such as museums, theaters, libraries, educational opportunities, and other enrichment activities. These amenities contribute significantly to quality of life and mental stimulation during retirement.
- Vibrant Score: Assesses the overall energy and liveliness of a community, including social engagement opportunities, community events, and general atmosphere. A vibrant community can help combat isolation and promote active aging.
- Transit-Friendly: Rates the availability and quality of public transportation options, which is crucial for seniors who may not drive or prefer alternative transportation methods. Good public transit allows retirees to maintain independence and access to community resources.
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
- Redfin Oregon Housing Market – https://www.redfin.com/state/Oregon/housing-market
- Zillow Oregon Home Values – https://www.zillow.com/or/home-values/
- National Association of Realtors Oregon Data – https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau Housing Data – https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/
