Characteristics of Home Ownership and Renting in Oregon

April 4, 2025

Of the 1,752,050 households in Oregon, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 63% (1,111,597) are owner-occupied and 37% (640,453) are renter-occupied. The U.S. has a slightly lower share of renter-occupied housing units, at 35%.

While on aggregate in Oregon 67% of households are owner-occupied, this figure differs significantly by race and ethnicity.

White alone, not Hispanic or Latino was the only householder population that had a higher owner share than Oregon as a whole. In 2023, 67% of white alone householders lived in owner-occupied housing. Asian households were the second-highest rate of home ownership, with 62% of Asian households living in an owner-occupied unit. Households that were two or more races, American Indian and Alaska Native, some other race, and of Hispanic or Latino origin all had around equal rates of owners and renters. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander and Black or African American households had the lowest rates of home ownership with 38% and 30%, respectively.

Owning and renting also varies significantly by age. In Oregon, most householders under age 35 rent, but most householders over 35 own.

Of all age groups, Oregon householders under 35 are the only age group that has more renters than owners, with 68% of those householders renting. Younger householders tend to have less income and wealth to afford owning a home. They are also more likely to be in school and are less likely to have kids.

Residents in every age group older than 35 are more likely to own. For householders 35 to 64, around 60% to 70% of them live in an owner-occupied household. Home ownership peaks among the 65 to 74 age category, with 80% of those householders living in an owner-occupied household. Home ownership declines slightly among folks 75 and older, but the majority of them still live in owner-occupied households.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a household is cost burdened if they spend more than 30% of their gross income on housing (e.g., mortgage or rent) and housing expenses (e.g., utilities and repairs). Across the board, the share of Oregon households cost burdened by housing costs is about the same as it was a decade ago.

About half of renters in Oregon are cost burdened. This is about on par with other renters in the U.S. The median gross rent in Oregon in 2023 was $1,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Households that rent are much more likely to be housing cost burdened than households that own. This is in part because the annual median household income for homeowners ($100,300 in 2023) is much higher than for renters ($53,700). People with lower incomes are less likely to be able to afford to purchase a home and are thus more likely to rent. Renters are more likely to be younger and non-white. Both the younger and non-white populations tend to have lower incomes.

About one of every three Oregon homeowners with a mortgage are housing cost burdened. This is also roughly the same as the U.S. Compared with renters, the homeowner population tends to be older and whiter; both populations tend to have higher incomes.

Homeowners without a mortgage are even less likely to be housing cost burdened. About one out of six homeowners without a mortgage are housing cost burdened, which is similar to the rest of the U.S. Not having a mortgage payment significantly reduces housing cost. The monthly housing cost for homeowners without a mortgage ($700) is significantly lower than for homeowners with a mortgage ($2,000).

More Housing Units Are Needed to Address the Current Shortage

There are significant disparities in homeownership across Oregon. Dealing with these housing disparities requires continuing public and private focus and investment. The Oregon Housing and Community Services department covers housing in more depth in their 2024 State of the State’s Housing Report.

For more on the housing market, see the article Housing Affordability in Oregon. 

You can read about details of the apartment and rental market in the article Housing Affordability: The Rental Market in Oregon.