These Are The 10 Safest Cities To Live In Oregon In 2022

In our humble opinion, Oregon is the very best place to live in the country! Its dashing good looks, friendly residents, and abundance of attractions and outdoor recreation all make The Beaver State a superlative superstar. Another feather in the state’s cap is safety: Oregon is, by and large, a very safe place to live. Both violent crime and property crime rates are low in Oregon — in fact, the state has the lowest violent crime rate in the Pacific Northwest region. In terms of specific locales, the online research group Safewise recently released their seventh annual Safest Cities report, using FBI crime statistics data and demographic information to subjectively rank each state’s safest places to live. After reviewing the most recent stats, here are the 10 safest cities to live in Oregon:

West Linn

Steve Gadbois/500px Collection via Getty Images Situated between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers in Clackamas County, West Linn is a delightful town that consistently ranks as one of the safest and most affordable places to live in Oregon. In fact, West Linn holds its top spot on Safeway’s Safest Cities list for the third year in a row! With great schools, a low unemployment rate, and stunning scenery, West Linn is also rated as one of the happiest cities in Oregon. West Linn, OR, USA

Sherwood

Hrystiv/Wikipedia Located in lovely Washington County, Sherwood is, once again, Safewise’s second safest city in Oregon. Living in Sherwood offers residents a low-key suburban lifestyle, with Portland’s big-city amenities mere miles away. The public schools in Sherwood are highly rated, too. Sherwood, OR, USA

Monmouth

City of Monmouth, Oregon - Government/Facebook Located just 20 minutes from Salem, Monmouth is a beautiful little town of around 10,000 residents. It has a lovely downtown area and offers residents a small-town kind of lifestyle. While the city has relatively high property crime numbers, Monmouth earns a top spot Safewise’s list for its low violent crime rates. Monmouth, OR, USA

Lake Oswego

Esprqii/Wikipedia Also part of the Greater Portland area, Lake Oswego is a stunningly beautiful city that’s also one of the safest places to live in Oregon. Despite being on the larger size in terms of population (roughly 40,000), Lake Oswego’s violent crime rates are very low. Lake Oswego, OR, USA

Independence

City of Independence/Facebook The city of Independence is the third largest urban area in Polk County, Oregon. In addition to being a safe place to live for its size, Independence offers residents a lot in terms of community activities, arts programs, and outdoor recreation. Independence, OR, USA

Milwaukie

Finetooth/Wikipedia Settled in 1847, this small town once rivaled Portland and Oregon City in size, but was quickly overtaken by the more port-friendly Portland. Comprised of a mere five miles of land, Milwaukie has experienced a bit of a downtown revival in recent years. Milwaukie, OR, USA

Lebanon

46Percent/Wikipedia Located in a marvelously scenic part of the state, Lebanon is a beguiling town of around 17,000 that’s been consistently rising in the ranks of Safewise’s Safest Cities in Oregon list. Lebanon, OR 97355, USA

Bend

JamesBrey/iStock via Getty Images Plus With a population of over 100,000, Bend is one of the largest cities to make Safewise’s list. While property crime rates are higher than average here, violent crime rates in Bend are well below national average, and have been a on a downtrend. Bend is a beautiful place to live, offering those seeking big-city amenities a lower cost of living than Portland, with equally amazing outdoor recreation. Bend, OR, USA

Silverton

Ian Sane/Wikimedia Commons Known as the home to one of the best state parks in Oregon, Silverton is a delightful town that we’ve long held in high regards. Known as Oregon’s Garden City, Silverton is home to an abundance of beauty, everywhere you turn. Truly — head out in any direction from Silverton, and you’ll encounter something splendid: a roaring waterfall, magical garden, covered bridge, or quaint landmark. It’s a joy to be in Silverton, which, in our humble opinion, is quite possibly the best place in Oregon. Silverton, OR 97381, USA

Keizer

City Of Keizer/Facebook The charming town of Keizer is located in Oregon’s winsome Willamette Valley. It’s experiencing a sea change in both violent and property crime rates in recent years. The town is an all-around lovely place to live, with its annual holiday festivities beloved by folks all across the state! Keizer, OR, USA

You can view the full list of Safewise’s Oregon’s 20 Safest Cities of 2022 at their website. Did any of these top 10 picks surprise you? Do you live in any of these cities and agree with Safewise? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Steve Gadbois/500px Collection via Getty Images

Situated between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers in Clackamas County, West Linn is a delightful town that consistently ranks as one of the safest and most affordable places to live in Oregon. In fact, West Linn holds its top spot on Safeway’s Safest Cities list for the third year in a row! With great schools, a low unemployment rate, and stunning scenery, West Linn is also rated as one of the happiest cities in Oregon.

West Linn, OR, USA

Hrystiv/Wikipedia

Located in lovely Washington County, Sherwood is, once again, Safewise’s second safest city in Oregon. Living in Sherwood offers residents a low-key suburban lifestyle, with Portland’s big-city amenities mere miles away. The public schools in Sherwood are highly rated, too.

Sherwood, OR, USA

City of Monmouth, Oregon - Government/Facebook

Located just 20 minutes from Salem, Monmouth is a beautiful little town of around 10,000 residents. It has a lovely downtown area and offers residents a small-town kind of lifestyle. While the city has relatively high property crime numbers, Monmouth earns a top spot Safewise’s list for its low violent crime rates.

Monmouth, OR, USA

Esprqii/Wikipedia

Also part of the Greater Portland area, Lake Oswego is a stunningly beautiful city that’s also one of the safest places to live in Oregon. Despite being on the larger size in terms of population (roughly 40,000), Lake Oswego’s violent crime rates are very low.

Lake Oswego, OR, USA

City of Independence/Facebook

The city of Independence is the third largest urban area in Polk County, Oregon. In addition to being a safe place to live for its size, Independence offers residents a lot in terms of community activities, arts programs, and outdoor recreation.

Independence, OR, USA

Finetooth/Wikipedia

Settled in 1847, this small town once rivaled Portland and Oregon City in size, but was quickly overtaken by the more port-friendly Portland. Comprised of a mere five miles of land, Milwaukie has experienced a bit of a downtown revival in recent years.

Milwaukie, OR, USA

46Percent/Wikipedia

Located in a marvelously scenic part of the state, Lebanon is a beguiling town of around 17,000 that’s been consistently rising in the ranks of Safewise’s Safest Cities in Oregon list.

Lebanon, OR 97355, USA

JamesBrey/iStock via Getty Images Plus

With a population of over 100,000, Bend is one of the largest cities to make Safewise’s list. While property crime rates are higher than average here, violent crime rates in Bend are well below national average, and have been a on a downtrend. Bend is a beautiful place to live, offering those seeking big-city amenities a lower cost of living than Portland, with equally amazing outdoor recreation.

Bend, OR, USA

Ian Sane/Wikimedia Commons

Known as the home to one of the best state parks in Oregon, Silverton is a delightful town that we’ve long held in high regards. Known as Oregon’s Garden City, Silverton is home to an abundance of beauty, everywhere you turn. Truly — head out in any direction from Silverton, and you’ll encounter something splendid: a roaring waterfall, magical garden, covered bridge, or quaint landmark. It’s a joy to be in Silverton, which, in our humble opinion, is quite possibly the best place in Oregon.

Silverton, OR 97381, USA

City Of Keizer/Facebook

The charming town of Keizer is located in Oregon’s winsome Willamette Valley. It’s experiencing a sea change in both violent and property crime rates in recent years. The town is an all-around lovely place to live, with its annual holiday festivities beloved by folks all across the state!

Keizer, OR, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Safest Places to Live in Oregon December 21, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best places to live in Oregon? We have a lot of love for our small towns in Oregon, and the following are among our favorite places to visit – and live!

Jacksonville. Not only is Jacksonville a charming little locale, it’s also one of the coolest towns in the PNW! Why you ask? Well, it turns out Jacksonville is home to an incredible annual music festival that draws some of the biggest bands and artists in the industry, too! Ashland. This Oregon town is known for its thriving arts scene and free-spirited community, and it’s truly a delightful place to visit. The centerpiece of the town is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Founded in 1935, this live theatre venue is straight out of the 1600s, complete with the troupe’s iconic outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre, which opens in early June and runs through mid-October.

Sisters. With a population of just 2,000, Sisters is the kind of small town where everyone knows your name. This Oregon town is big on tradition, with annual events like the Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters Folk Fest, and Sisters Rodeo attracting folks from all over the state! When in Sisters, definitely stay at FivePine Lodge, an award-winning, woodsy lodge where you can book a cabin or suite year-round. Come and experience peak Oregon small-town life in Sisters!

Yachats. This place is a treasure of a town, offering Oregonians a perfect slice of small-town coastal living. No matter where you are in Yachats, you’re sure to have spectacular shoreline views. Take a little coastal retreat in this charming little locale; while you’re there, we highly recommend staying at the Drift Inn Hotel and Restaurant, a beloved Yachats establishment.

Florence. Another Oregon Coast favorite, it really doesn’t get any more postcard-perfect than Florence. This sleepy little beach town has amazing waterfront restaurants, charming shops, and some of the best shorelines in all of Oregon! When you visit, be sure to stay at the Lighthouse Inn, a 75-year-old hotel located in the heart of the town’s historic downtown district.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Safest Places to Live in Oregon

December 21, 2022

Sarah M.

What are the best places to live in Oregon? We have a lot of love for our small towns in Oregon, and the following are among our favorite places to visit – and live!

The OIYS Visitor Center

We have a lot of love for our small towns in Oregon, and the following are among our favorite places to visit – and live!

Jacksonville. Not only is Jacksonville a charming little locale, it’s also one of the coolest towns in the PNW! Why you ask? Well, it turns out Jacksonville is home to an incredible annual music festival that draws some of the biggest bands and artists in the industry, too!
Ashland. This Oregon town is known for its thriving arts scene and free-spirited community, and it’s truly a delightful place to visit. The centerpiece of the town is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Founded in 1935, this live theatre venue is straight out of the 1600s, complete with the troupe’s iconic outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre, which opens in early June and runs through mid-October.
Sisters. With a population of just 2,000, Sisters is the kind of small town where everyone knows your name. This Oregon town is big on tradition, with annual events like the Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters Folk Fest, and Sisters Rodeo attracting folks from all over the state! When in Sisters, definitely stay at FivePine Lodge, an award-winning, woodsy lodge where you can book a cabin or suite year-round. Come and experience peak Oregon small-town life in Sisters!
Yachats. This place is a treasure of a town, offering Oregonians a perfect slice of small-town coastal living. No matter where you are in Yachats, you’re sure to have spectacular shoreline views. Take a little coastal retreat in this charming little locale; while you’re there, we highly recommend staying at the Drift Inn Hotel and Restaurant, a beloved Yachats establishment.
Florence. Another Oregon Coast favorite, it really doesn’t get any more postcard-perfect than Florence. This sleepy little beach town has amazing waterfront restaurants, charming shops, and some of the best shorelines in all of Oregon! When you visit, be sure to stay at the Lighthouse Inn, a 75-year-old hotel located in the heart of the town’s historic downtown district.