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Cost of living in Malheur County, OR

Estimated monthly cost
$2,731/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 31,701 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $821 30%
Healthcare $480 18%
Groceries $350 13%
Federal tax $338 12%
Transport $320 12%
State tax $199 7%
Energy $163 6%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Malheur County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$683
per month
1 bedroom
$821
per month
2 bedroom
$962
per month
3 bedroom
$1,348
per month
4 bedroom
$1,615
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Malheur County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$49,902
per year
Individual earnings
$30,732
per year
Per capita
$23,814
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Malheur County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$221,300
Annual property tax
$1,799

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Malheur County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$117
per month · 13¢/kWh
Natural gas
$46
per month
Annual total
$1,956
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Malheur County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Malheur County

State and local tax rates for Oregon.

State income tax
9.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Malheur County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
18.6 min
Drive alone
76.2%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
8.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Malheur County

What it costs to live in Malheur County each month.

Single person
$2,731
per month
  • Rent $821
  • Energy $163
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $350
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $338
  • State tax $199
Couple
$3,922
per month
  • Rent $962
  • Energy $196
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $580
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $491
  • State tax $339
Family
$6,457
per month
  • Rent $1,348
  • Energy $244
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $880
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $491
  • State tax $339

Frequently asked questions about Malheur County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Malheur County?

In Malheur County, OR, a one-bedroom apartment averages $821 per month, a two-bedroom averages $962 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,348 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Malheur County?

In Malheur County, OR, the average household income is $49,902 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $30,732 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Malheur County?

The estimated cost of living in Malheur County, OR is approximately $2,731 per month for a single person, $3,922 for a couple, $6,457 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Malheur County?

The combined sales tax rate in Malheur County, OR is 0.00%, which includes the Oregon state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Malheur County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Malheur County, OR would need approximately $2,731 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $49,902 per year ($4,159 per month). Malheur County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Malheur County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Malheur County, OR is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Malheur County?

The average home value in Malheur County, OR is $221,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,799, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Malheur County compare to other areas?

You can compare Malheur County, OR with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Malheur County is in the Ontario, OR-ID metro area.

Other counties in Oregon

Browse the full list of counties in Oregon, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Oregon

Compare Malheur County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources