Decent salary in Oregon (Portland, Medford: real estate, rent, car insurance)

[ollibell]

My husband was offered a job in Ashland, Or. However, compared to Califonia pay scales, the salary is somewhat low. We feel Ashland is just as expensive as the area we now live in Sothern Cal. Would anyone comment what a decent salary would be for a family of four in Ashland. I have been unable to get a good cost of living camparison for Ashland which is more expensive than most Oregon cities. Like wise what about Bend?

[hamellr]

Depends on the job position, the skills involved, size of the company and benefits package. Most likely if that's what he's being offered then that is right within the salary range in that geographic location. It might be on the low end of course, but no reason he couldn't try to negotiate it upwards.

[Bendite]

I don't know what it would take to live in Bend with a family of four - that would depend on your lifestyle. Two years ago, median household income was about $58,000. I think that would have been a struggle considering how much housing cost then. In today's world, that might be reasonable, again depending on lifestyle. Below is a 2009 report - has Bend but not Ashland. It shows Bend at the national average for cost of living which is probably accurate considering the huge drop in property values here. Maybe you can find your city in Calif. and at least compare it to Bend. The population they have for Bend must be for Deschutes County - Bend is at about 85,000. The employment information is based on old data - we don't have job growth; quite the opposite


Kiplinger's Complete City Rankings for 2009: See How Your City Ranks, Search Places for Lowest Cost of Living and Higest Income Growth

[davefr]

Originally Posted by ollibell

My husband was offered a job in Ashland, Or. However, compared to Califonia pay scales, the salary is somewhat low. We feel Ashland is just as expensive as the area we now live in Sothern Cal. Would anyone comment what a decent salary would be for a family of four in Ashland. I have been unable to get a good cost of living camparison for Ashland which is more expensive than most Oregon cities. Like wise what about Bend?

Employers generally pay salaries based on the job market vs. cost of living. "Job market" is generally a function of demand for the employees skill sets vs. available supply with the lower limit set at min. wage.

With current demand this low and supply of labor this high, wages will suffer.

Your husband's decision should largely be based on future potential with that employer. To get an idea on cost of living take a trip to those area. Cost of living varies greatly depending on your lifestyle. (rent vs. own, special needs, schooling, medical, entertainment, etc, etc, etc).

[thelocaldish]

The cost of living in Medford/Talent is lower. Those are places to look at that will make that difference for the cost of living. Ashland also has a food tax and generally slightly higher gas prices, but the big savings in Oregon comes when you can cut your rent/mortgage in half or even more.

I lived in Pasadena and recently moved. I now make a mortgage payment on a 2k sq/ft home in a nice part of E. Medford that would have been 3 times as much in Southern California. The commute to Ashland from my home is only 20-25 minutes (door to door) in easy traffic on the freeway - I used to work downtown in Ashland. A 20-30k cut in pay can easily be made up between cheaper food, cheaper rent/mortgage and slightly lower gas. Plus you have less maintenance expenses for cars, lower car insurance rates, etc.

Usually the math works out - but do be careful as the area struggles economically and often employers will by underpaying when possible.

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[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by ollibell

My husband was offered a job in Ashland, Or. However, compared to Califonia pay scales, the salary is somewhat low. We feel Ashland is just as expensive as the area we now live in Sothern Cal. Would anyone comment what a decent salary would be for a family of four in Ashland. I have been unable to get a good cost of living camparison for Ashland which is more expensive than most Oregon cities. Like wise what about Bend?

Ashland has one of the least favorable salary-to-COL quotients in the state. As is the case with Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and many other desirable areas, many of the people who work in these towns have to commute from less tony zip codes. Even the mayor of Ashland finds living there cost-prohibitive. Ashland, Ore., mayor says he can't afford to live in Ashland | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington (http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_050508_business_mayors_home_ashland.ce9b292e.h tml - broken link)

Part of the reason that Ashland looks expensive is that a high percentage of homes there are higher-end homes. Competition for the lower end is tight due to demand for student housing. But depending on how much transferable equity you can bring with you, and what kind of house and yard requirements you have, you might be able to find something in town that you can afford if you do your homework and are persistent. Look for homes being sold by-owner in the Ashland Daily Tidings, Craigslist and Zillow as well as the usual MLS venues. Some of the more affordable homes will be outside the actual city limits. You could try and rent in Talent, Phoenix or Medford until your real estate ship comes in for Ashland.

[ollibell]

Thanks for the input. Seems like unless you have a disposable income it is impossible to live in Ashland. I see why so many families are moving out now. Too bad! I even think my husband would be considered as having a good job in Ashland too.

[Smiled]

Bingo! Oregonians take much of their pay in scenery. Even in Portland, where housing prices are losing unjustified altitude.