Relocating to Washington County, Oregon: A 2026 Guide

Relocating to Washington County, Oregon in 2026 usually means a job at Intel, Nike, OHSU, or the tech and health employers around them. Expect a countywide median sale price near $566,000, typical rents near $1,950 in Hillsboro, no sales tax, a state income tax, and MAX light rail into Portland. Here is how to plan the move.

Relocating to Washington County, Oregon in 2026 usually means a job at Intel, Nike, OHSU, or the tech and health employers around them. Expect a countywide median sale price near $566,000, typical rents near $1,950 in Hillsboro, no sales tax, a state income tax, and MAX light rail into Portland. Here is how to plan the move.

Why people move here

Washington County sits just west of Portland and has about 611,700 residents, making it the second most populous county in Oregon. Most relocations we see are tied to a job.

• Intel: Intel says it has more than 20,000 employees in Oregon, centered on its Ronler Acres and nearby campuses in Hillsboro. Like much of the tech industry, Intel has reduced staff over the past two years, so confirm your team's location and plans with your employer.
• Nike: The company's world headquarters near Beaverton has about 10,600 employees. Nike announced a new restructuring on October 1, 2026, with role decisions expected to begin in 2027.
• OHSU: With 22,501 employees, OHSU is Portland's largest employer. Its main campus is in Portland, and it also has a West Campus in Beaverton.

Many relocators also work for the suppliers, contractors, and health care networks around these employers, or work remotely and want west side access to Portland.

What homes cost in 2026

Redfin reports a Washington County median sale price of about $566,000 for the three months ending August 2026, down 0.67 percent from a year earlier, with homes averaging 30 days on market.

City by city, Zillow's typical home values in September 2026 were roughly:

• Hillsboro: $512,000
• Forest Grove: $520,000
• Beaverton: $524,000
• Tigard: $602,000

Those are averages across all home types. A newer single-family home in North Bethany or South Hillsboro will cost more than a townhome or an older ranch. If you are coming from the Bay Area or Seattle, your budget will likely go further here. If you are coming from the Midwest or South, expect higher prices per square foot.

Renting vs. buying

Zillow reports average Hillsboro rent of about $1,944 in August 2026, down 0.9 percent from a year earlier.

Renting first makes sense if your job location might change, you are unsure which side of the county fits your commute, or you need time to sell your current home. Buying right away makes sense if your role is stable, you already know your commute, and you want to avoid moving twice.

Mortgage rates matter for this decision. The 30-year fixed averaged just over 7 percent in late September, according to Freddie Mac. Have a local lender run both scenarios with today's rate before you decide. Include moving costs, a possible rent overlap, and the time it takes to sell a home elsewhere, so you compare the full cost of each path.

Oregon taxes: what changes for you

Oregon's tax setup surprises many newcomers.

• No sales tax. The Oregon Department of Revenue confirms Oregon does not have a general sales tax.
• State income tax. Rates range from 4.75 to 9.9 percent of taxable income, according to the Oregon Legislative Revenue Office.
• Property taxes are based on assessed value, not price. Under Measure 50, the assessed value of an existing property generally grows no more than 3 percent per year. Because of that, two similar homes on the same street can have very different tax bills. Always check the actual tax history of the home, and do not assume taxes will be a fixed percentage of the price.

Talk with a tax professional about your specific situation, especially if you are moving partway through the year.

Getting around

Commute is usually the deciding factor for relocators. The Sunset Highway (US-26) is the main east-west route between Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland, and Highway 217 connects Beaverton to Tigard and I-5.

For transit, TriMet's MAX Blue Line connects Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland City Center, running every 15 minutes or less most of the day, every day. Living near a MAX station, such as in Orenco Station, can make a car-light lifestyle realistic.

Our advice: before choosing a neighborhood, drive or ride your actual commute at the time you would actually travel it.

How to buy from out of state

Buying from another state is common here, and a clear process makes it manageable.

1. Get pre-approved with a lender licensed in Oregon so your offer is credible to local sellers.
2. Pick two or three target areas based on commute, home style, and budget.
3. Tour virtually first. We can walk homes live on video and show you the street, the nearby traffic, and what is next door.
4. Plan one in-person trip if you can, to see your top choices in person.
5. Use electronic signatures and remote closing options so you do not need to fly back for paperwork.
6. Line up inspections early. Oregon homes can have issues tied to rain, moisture, and older construction, so a thorough inspection matters.

Next steps

Washington County gives relocators a strong job base, a wide range of home styles, no sales tax, and transit access to Portland. The tradeoffs are a state income tax, property taxes that vary from home to home, and prices that depend heavily on the neighborhood.

If you are planning a move, call or text Kent at (503) 784-1065, or reach out through our contact page. We can map your commute, price range, and timing before you ever book a flight.

Kent Bounds & Kionna SakhoeunRE/MAX Equity Group · Serving Washington County & the Portland Metro area. Call or text (503) 784-1065.