Firstly why Gresham, Oregon?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Gresham
• State: Oregon
• Population: 113,295 people
• Gresham’s quick summary would be Known for its beautiful parks, including the Gresham Japanese Garden, and the vibrant downtown area.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 6,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 500
• Number of Homeless people: 300

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features affordable living and access to Portland appealing to families

Perk #1: Gresham Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 31%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 56%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $71,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Gresham is $67,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-4000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Gresham’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 100 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,435
• Property Tax %: 1.19%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,200
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Gresham
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood-Village, and probably could include Damascus
• Avg. Age of Homes in Gresham: 40 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Gresham’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Gresham are  Retail, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
• Gresham Job Scene: steady job market in retail and local services
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech landscape with a focus on local services and business innovation , ,
• Gresham Resident’s pay $1,200 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Gresham: 8.2%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 80 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 4

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Gresham

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-84 runs through Gresham linking it to Portland
• Commute Time: 23 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic congestion on Powell Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 36 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Gresham: 50,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Gresham: oregon.gov/odot/dmv
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 64 of 100
• Local Airport: Portland International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Gresham’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Gresham is best described as features mild winters and warm summers with regular rain
• Winter Weather in Gresham i’d describe as cool with rain
• Spring Weather in Gresham can be described as cool with rain expected
• Summer’s in Gresham are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Gresham is usually cool with sunny spells
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 2 days in summer
• Days in a row in Gresham below Freezing: 6
• Average Annual Rainfall: 30 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by urban development
• Gresham Winter Air mixed air quality influenced by urban development

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Gresham Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Gresham 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Greshams’s city limits are 1
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Gresham Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Gresham Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Gresham only Doctors is about 20
• Local Hospitals here is  3
• Full-time Gresham only Police Officers is about 120
• Crime Rate Index: 30/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Gresham’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Gresham’s Monthly Gym Membership: $43
• Gresham’s Water Quality Score: 70

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Gresham

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: suburban city with a focus on family and local events
• You might enjoy local theater productions
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Gresham  offers casual dining options and local bars that provide relaxed settings for friendly gatherings

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Gresham

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Offers a mix of casual dining and family-friendly restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Gresham
• The Popular Sports Team is Gresham GreyWolves
• Top Level Political Climate in Gresham can be described as politically mixed area looking at both urban and suburban issues
• Gresham’s Longer standing religious establishment is Gresham United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Gresham Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Gresham has 35 Parks?
• Springwater Corridor is Gresham’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Gresham Farmers Market normally open Sunday 9am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and cultural events

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Gresham Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Gresham can be described as active suburban life with a focus on families and community activities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Gresham exploring parks community picnics attending festivals
• The Cities people commute to from Gresham are Vancouver 8 miles away Beaverton 5 miles away Gresham 15 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Gresham or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic congestion on Powell Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Gresham’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Gresham is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Gresham are Vancouver 8 miles away Beaverton 5 miles away Gresham 15 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Gresham has 6 days in a row below freezing and 2 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Gresham people have an average (positive or negative) $-4000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   300 homeless people living in Gresham. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed area looking at both urban and suburban issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Gresham.

Retiree & Senior Life in Gresham

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can access tax credits reducing their overall financial responsibility
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Gresham
• Gresham Senior Center hosts community events social gatherings and health workshops for older adults

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Gresham, Oregon?

If Gresham, Oregon ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Gresham, Oregon, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!