Is Columbia County, OR good for real estate investing?

Columbia County has an investment score of 43/100, rated as "Avoid". The county ranks #719 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Columbia?

The rent-to-price ratio in Columbia County is 4.65% annually, which ranks in the 18th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Columbia?

The median home price in Columbia County is $454,910. This ranks #907 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Columbia?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Columbia County would generate negative cash flow of $1,239/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Columbia County

OregonPopulation: 52,865

/100

Avoid

#719 of 1,000 counties

#23 in Oregon (36 counties)

Analysis by RentalCalcs ResearchIndependent data + algorithm-driven scoring

Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$454,910

Median Home Price

98% above national median

$1,763/mo

Median Rent

22% above national median

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 82% nationally

-$1,239

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,763/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$341,183	-$643/mo	4.0%	-9.8%
Median typical MLS deal	$454,910	-$1,239/mo	3.0%	-14.2%
125% of median newer / premium	$568,638	-$1,835/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$454,910

Down Payment (20%)$90,982

Loan Amount$363,928

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,763

Monthly P&I-$2,385

Est. Expenses (35%)-$617

Net Cash Flow-$1,239/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.2%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

43/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.65% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

46/100

Based on -0.8% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

35/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Below-average rent-to-price ratio (4.65%)
-Declining home values (-0.8% YoY)
-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$1,239/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 3.0% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

52,865

Median Income

—

Data pending

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

—

Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
PolkOR	45	$470,528	$1,703	4.34%	Hold	View
LaneOR	44	$446,037	$1,806	4.86%	Avoid	View
YamhillOR	44	$502,077	$1,935	4.62%	Avoid	View
CurrentColumbiaOR	43	$454,910	$1,763	4.65%	Avoid
JosephineOR	42	$384,522	$1,511	4.72%	Avoid	View
CrookOR	42	$465,326	$1,623	4.19%	Avoid	View

The Bottom Line

AvoidColumbia may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Columbia County in Oregon scores 43/100, ranking #719 of 1,000 US counties (top 92%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $1239/month; the 4.65% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,239/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.2%

Related markets

Markets like Columbia with stronger cash flow

Cheaper alternatives to Columbia

Head-to-head comparisons

All counties in Oregon →

Rent vs buy in Oregon cities

Rent vs buy in Portland, ORMedian $493,151 · rent $1,687/mo Rent vs buy in Salem, ORMedian $437,106 · rent $1,652/mo Rent vs buy in Eugene, ORMedian $446,037 · rent $1,806/mo Rent vs buy in Bend, ORMedian $656,914 · rent $2,252/mo Rent vs buy in Gresham, ORMedian $493,151 · rent $1,687/mo All Oregon citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Columbia?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

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Explore Other Markets

Scenario comparison

Same $1,763/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.

Scenario	Purchase price	Monthly cash flow	Cap rate	Cash-on-cash
75% of median value-add or distressed	$341,183	-$643/mo	4.0%	-9.8%
Median typical MLS deal	$454,910	-$1,239/mo	3.0%	-14.2%
125% of median newer / premium	$568,638	-$1,835/mo	2.4%	-16.8%

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$454,910

Down Payment (20%)$90,982

Loan Amount$363,928

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,763

Monthly P&I-$2,385

Est. Expenses (35%)-$617

Net Cash Flow-$1,239/mo

3.0%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-14.2%

Cash-on-Cash Return

4.65%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.0% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

43/100

Cash Flow(30%)

40/100

Based on 4.65% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

46/100

Based on -0.8% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

35/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Who this market fits

Best for

+All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield

Skip if

−You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
−You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)
−You expect appreciation to carry the deal, but prices have declined year over year
−You rely on FHA-style financing: prices are stretched relative to local incomes

County

Verdict

PolkOR

$470,528

$1,703

4.34%

Hold

View

LaneOR

$446,037

$1,806

4.86%

Avoid

View

YamhillOR

$502,077

$1,935

4.62%

Avoid

View

CurrentColumbiaOR

$454,910

$1,763

4.65%

Avoid

JosephineOR

$384,522

$1,511

4.72%

Avoid

View

CrookOR

$465,326

$1,623

4.19%

Avoid

View

The Bottom Line

AvoidColumbia may be challenging for traditional rentals. High prices or low rents make cash flow difficult.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-1,239/mo

Cap Rate

3.0%

Cash-on-Cash

-14.2%