10 Best Places To Call Home In The Pacific Northwest In 2025

The Pacific Northwest states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho have a way of weaving together rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and laid-back main streets into communities that feel both welcoming and vibrant. For 2025, if you’re dreaming of a new hometown that offers both affordability and charm, you don’t need to look any further than these 10 towns. Each one comes with a fascinating history, a handful of can’t-miss highlights, and, significantly, median home prices below their state’s average, according to Realtor.com. Let's explore 10 of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to call home in 2025.

Walla Walla, Washington

Frontier history and wine-country living meet in this sunny corner of Washington. Founded in the 1850s around military outposts and early missions, Walla Walla blossomed into a hub for agriculture before becoming a nationally celebrated wine region. Life here is steeped in history and flavor, and with good schools, affordable living costs, and scenic beauty, Walla Walla is a great place to call home.

The Whitman Mission National Historic Site offers a great lesson in the early settlers of the region, or take in the beauty of Pioneer Park, one of the Northwest’s loveliest city parks. Of course, a day isn’t complete without a glass of local vintage at Seven Hills Winery, one of the town’s oldest tasting rooms. With a housing market that stays under Washington’s state average, Walla Walla offers both refined living and affordability.

Roseburg, Oregon

Roseburg enjoys its status as the “Timber Capital of the Nation,” and for good reason. Founded in 1851 along the South Umpqua River, the town flourished thanks to lumber mills that sprang up after the arrival of pioneers. The timber industry still shapes Roseburg, but today the town thrives just as much on outdoor adventure and wine country.

Start your exploration in the leafy expanse of Stewart Park, where walking trails, a golf course, and a riverside amphitheater bring locals together year-round. The Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History preserves Roseburg’s pioneer and Native American heritage while showcasing Oregon’s geology and wildlife. For those who love the outdoors, the Umpqua National Forest is right at your doorstep, leading to waterfalls, hot springs, and endless hiking trails. Wine lovers will want to sip their way through the Umpqua Valley Wine Trail, home to dozens of boutique vineyards that thrive in the fertile valley soils.

Klamath Falls, Oregon

This high-desert city first came to life in 1867 under the name Linkville, before adopting the name Klamath Falls in 1893, in honor of the tumbling rapids along the Link River. As you might expect, Klamath Falls is the kind of place where outdoor adventure is the rhythm of daily life.

Begin your day at Nibbley's Cafe, a favorite breakfast spot renowned for its excellent food and service. Moore Park, a sprawling green expanse overlooking Upper Klamath Lake, has trails, playgrounds, and shady picnic areas. The Link River Trail offers a scenic walk right through town, winding past the small but energetic “falls” that gave the city its name. And just a short drive away, the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge attracts migratory birds by the thousands, turning sunrise or sunset into a natural spectacle.

Median home prices in Klamath Falls remain below the statewide average in Oregon, making the area especially appealing for young families, retirees, or anyone seeking a quieter pace without sacrificing access to cultural and recreational opportunities.

Jerome, Idaho

Founded in 1907 after irrigation transformed the surrounding sagebrush desert into fertile farmland, Jerome, Idaho, has long been tied to agriculture. Early pioneers harnessed the waters of the Snake River to create thriving fields of sugar beets, potatoes, and dairy farms — a legacy that has earned it the nickname of "Magic Valley."

History lovers can step back into Jerome’s past at the Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum, which highlights the tools and stories of the early settlers who carved out lives here. For outdoor adventure, the nearby Snake River Canyon offers jaw-dropping views, hiking, and even BASE-jumping opportunities for the bold, including at Perrine Memorial Bridge. Local flavors shine at Choate's Family Diner, a friendly café where neighbors linger over three-meat hashbrowns and other breakfast specialties.

With Twin Falls just a short drive across the canyon, Jerome residents have easy access to shopping, dining, and jobs, while still coming home to a quieter pace.

Ellensburg, Washington

Set in the Kittitas Valley, Ellensburg began as a trading post in the 1870s and quickly grew when the Northern Pacific Railway rolled through. Although it narrowly missed being named Washington’s state capital, the town has persevered with resilience, charm, and a lively sense of community. Today, its combination of college energy, western heritage, and scenic setting makes it one of the state’s most inviting small towns.

Downtown Ellensburg is rich in late-19th-century brick architecture, with shops and restaurants that make for a pleasant afternoon of wandering. The town’s heart beats strongest each summer during the Ellensburg Rodeo, one of the top professional rodeos in the nation, drawing visitors from across the West. The presence of Central Washington University brings a youthful energy and cultural depth, with concerts, lectures, and art shows open to the public. For a quieter day, locals head to Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park for trails, fishing, or simply lounging along the Yakima River. Art lovers will appreciate the Clymer Museum of Art, with its free admission, celebrating the work of Western painter John Clymer.

Grants Pass, Oregon

Grants Pass earned its name in 1863, honoring Ulysses S. Grant’s Civil War victory at Vicksburg. By the late 19th century, the railroad had transformed this stagecoach stop into a bustling regional hub. Timber, agriculture, and trade shaped its early economy, but today Grants Pass is better known as a riverside community where small-town charm meets year-round adventure.

The town, with around 39,000 residents, sits along the Rogue River, a playground for rafters, anglers, and thrill-seekers. Families flock to Riverside Park, a downtown green space that hosts summer concerts, festivals, and lazy afternoon picnics by the water. The arts thrive here too — stop into the Grants Pass Museum of Art to admire rotating exhibits of regional and national talent or stroll downtown to admire the colorful murals that brighten historic brick walls. Finish the day at the River's Edge Restaurant, with unique meal choices and fantastic views of the river from almost every table.

Grants Pass also has a reputation for community spirit. Seasonal events, from holiday parades to weekly farmers markets, make it easy for newcomers to feel at home. And just outside town, hiking trails, waterfalls, and vineyards invite weekend exploration.

Centralia, Washington

George Washington — a free African American pioneer, not the president — founded Centralia in 1875 and gave it one of the most inspiring backstories in the Pacific Northwest. He literally carved the city out of the wilderness, while donating land for its first school, church, and other businesses, just as the Northern Pacific Railroad ventured into the region.

History fills nearly every block of Centralia. Downtown streets showcase century-old brick buildings, antique shops, and cafés that invite you to slow down and explore. Locals and visitors flock to the McMenamins Olympic Club Hotel, a historic saloon and hotel that brims with early 20th-century character. When you need to commune with nature, head to Fort Borst Park for its riverside trails, playgrounds, and sports fields, or hike through old-growth forests at Lewis and Clark State Park, just 12 miles outside town.

When you add the fact that Centralia has low housing costs and sits about halfway between Seattle and Portland on Interstate 5, it is easy to see why it has become one of the best places to call home in the Pacific Northwest.

Blackfoot, Idaho

Known as the “Potato Capital of the World,” Blackfoot has been rooted in agriculture since its founding in 1874. Settlers recognized the rich volcanic soil and irrigation potential of the Snake River Plain, and potatoes soon became the crop that put Blackfoot on the map. Today, agriculture still plays a significant role in local life, but the town has grown into a friendly community that blends small-town traditions with a touch of quirk.

Start your visit at the Idaho Potato Museum, where exhibits range from the state’s farming history to the world’s largest potato crisp (yes, it’s on display). Downtown, you’ll find murals, shops, and the welcoming Blackfoot Performing Arts Center, which hosts concerts, theater, and community events. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Wolverine Canyon, just a short drive east, with its hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The residents of Blackfoot enjoy their quaint, slower-paced life, and that is precisely why it is a great place to live.

The Dalles, Oregon

In Wasco County, The Dalles has served as a crossroads for travelers for centuries. Native tribes gathered here to harvest salmon from the Columbia River, and wagon trains rumbled through as pioneers followed the Oregon Trail west. By the mid-1800s, the community had taken shape as a trading center, military post, and shipping hub for goods moving along the river.

Step into history at the Fort Dalles Museum, where pioneer cabins and military relics bring frontier life into focus. Then, trade artifacts for flavors at the Sunshine Mill Winery, a former flour mill transformed into a tasting room that marries industry with modern-day charm. When it’s time to stretch your legs, the Riverfront Trail invites cyclists and walkers alike to enjoy miles of Columbia River views. And for a deeper dive into the region’s story, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum blends geology, Native traditions, and pioneer tales into one sweeping narrative.

Yakima, Washington

More populated than other towns on this list, Yakima sits in a broad valley carved by the Yakima River, with a history as rich as the soil that still feeds the region’s orchards and vineyards. Native peoples lived here for centuries before settlers arrived in the 1850s, and the town was officially incorporated in 1886 after the Northern Pacific Railway chose the site for its station. Agriculture soon became Yakima’s backbone, and today the area produces apples, hops, and wine grapes that travel worldwide.

The city celebrates its heritage and creativity in equal measure. Downtown’s Capitol Theatre, built in 1920, still dazzles with Broadway shows, symphonies, and local productions. Families and nature lovers enjoy Yakima Area Arboretum, a 46-acre oasis of gardens, trees, and walking paths along the river. For wine and beer enthusiasts, the Yakima Valley Wine Trail and local breweries showcase the bounty of the valley, with tasting rooms tucked into historic buildings and farmlands. Those who crave outdoor adventure can hike or bike along the Greenway Trail, which winds for miles through parks and riverside landscapes.

The Pacific Northwest has always been more than mountains and rain — it’s a region of welcoming valleys, river towns, and small communities that carry their histories proudly into the present. Whether you find yourself sipping wine in Walla Walla, exploring pioneer landmarks in The Dalles, strolling river trails in Yakima, or discovering the strong community spirit of Idaho’s smaller cities, each of these towns proves that you don’t need to sacrifice affordability to enjoy an incredible quality of life.