Beaverton sits about 7 miles west of downtown Portland in Washington County. It's priced closer to Portland than most people expect (roughly $450,000–$600,000 depending on area), but you get more house, a driveway, Beaverton School District (ranked #5 in Oregon by Niche), and no Multnomah County Preschool for All tax. The trade-off is a more car-oriented suburb with walkability concentrated in a few pockets.
Who Beaverton fits
Families who want a strong school district without Lake Oswego pricing, people working at Nike or along the Highway 26 tech corridor, and buyers who want more square footage and a garage for roughly the same money as a comparable Portland home. Beaverton is also one of the most diverse, culturally rich communities in the Pacific Northwest, and its large immigrant community has built one of the most authentic Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese food scenes in the metro.
What daily life looks like
Beaverton is more classically suburban than Portland: quieter streets, bigger lots, more driveways than sidewalks. Walkability exists, but it's concentrated in a few pockets: the Round at Beaverton Central, revitalized Old Town, and the shopping around Cedar Hills Crossing and Progress Ridge. The Beaverton Farmers Market is the largest agricultural farmers market in Oregon, and the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, the largest special park district in the state, weaves green space through the whole city, including Tualatin Hills Nature Park.
The trade-offs
If nightlife and walking everywhere without a car matter most, Portland still wins. Highway 217 has earned its traffic reputation, so if your commute touches it, drive it at rush hour before you buy. And prices vary a lot between Old Town, Central, South, and West Beaverton, so "Beaverton" alone doesn't tell you much about a budget.
Go deeper
- Beaverton vs. Portland: Which One Should You Actually Move To?
- 7 Best Suburbs Near Portland, Oregon in 2026
- 8 Reasons Buyers Are Choosing Portland's Suburbs
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Prices are typical 2026 ranges from public sources (Zillow, Redfin, and the MLS-based reports cited in the linked guides) and move month to month. Treat them as a starting point, not an appraisal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beaverton cheaper than Portland?
Not by much anymore. Portland's median runs around $535,000 to $545,000, and Beaverton ranges from roughly $450,000 to $600,000 depending on the neighborhood. The difference is usually what the money buys: more square footage, a yard, and a garage.
Are Beaverton schools good?
Beaverton School District is Oregon's third largest, with close to 38,000 students, and Niche ranks it #5 in the state for 2026. Neighborhoods like Cedar Hills, Sexton Mountain, and Murray Hill are popular with families for that reason.
Can you commute from Beaverton to downtown Portland without a car?
Yes. The MAX Blue Line runs from Beaverton into downtown Portland with no transfer. Driving via Highway 26 typically takes 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Thinking about making the move?
I help buyers relocate to Portland Metro and Southwest Washington every week. Let's talk through your specific situation.