Why Moving to Springfield, Oregon Might be Right for You

Last Updated November 3, 2024

Important Considerations: Geography, Cost of Living, Economy, and Quality of Life

From Springfield, Oregon’s beautiful Cascades mountains – a dream for hikers, mountain bikers, fishers, kayakers, and outdoor-lovers of all stripes – are just a short drive to the east down Highway 126. Meanwhile, the ocean and Oregon’s majestic coastline are just over an hour to the west.

The climate is mild but toasty enough in the summer to make the season’s adventures enjoyable. Courtesy of Eugene, there’s also easy access to a medium-sized urban center and all its amenities.

Traditionally, the cost of living in Springfield, Oregon has been significantly lower than its neighbor to the west, Eugene. That’s really shifted, though, especially since 2020. Springfield homes are still less expensive on average than in Eugene, but the gap is narrowing. Increasingly, Springfield is becoming a destination in its own right.

No longer content to play second-fiddle to Eugene, it’s seen a significant overhaul over the past dozen years or so. As a result, moving to Springfield doesn’t have to mean a compromise in terms of quality of life.

Its downtown has been revitalized, with progressive civic policies easing the way for developers. And, with the construction of new walking, biking, and running paths along the Willamette River, Springfield now offers some of the finest urban natural areas you’ll find anywhere.

As Realtors, we do the most we can to help our clients understand the local market, and as a result, we pay close attention to the latest market statistics. We’ll dive further into the numbers behind the Springfield market’s shift below. But first, let’s take a deeper look into the question: why are people moving to Springfield, Oregon?

Homes for Sale in Springfield, Oregon

$380,000

382 S 70TH PL Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,290 SqFt 0.15 Acres

$695,000

962 S 66TH PL Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 2,020 SqFt 0.27 Acres

$562,000

38434 MCKENZIE HWY Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,530 SqFt 1.43 Acres

$550,000

8157 THURSTON RD Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 1 Baths 1,238 SqFt 1.7 Acres

$370,000

5248 G ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,194 SqFt 0.14 Acres

$336,500

5660 DAISY ST 34 Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,394 SqFt 0.07 Acres

$750,000

933 RIVER KNOLL WAY Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,436 SqFt 0.19 Acres

$405,000

1125 DELROSE DR Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 1 Baths 1,040 SqFt 0.2 Acres

$299,000

1252 8TH ST Springfield, Oregon

2 Beds 1 Baths 960 SqFt 0.18 Acres

$355,000

477 48TH ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,296 SqFt 0.14 Acres

$499,000

37843 CAMP CREEK RD Springfield, Oregon

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,203 SqFt 0.43 Acres

$649,000

1228 S 40TH PL Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,887 SqFt 0.18 Acres

$425,000

4359 MT VERNON RD Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,400 SqFt 0.15 Acres

$345,000

1199 S 58TH ST Springfield, Oregon

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,188 SqFt 0.15 Acres

$590,000

92130 MARPAR LN Springfield, Oregon

4 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,288 SqFt 2.3 Acres

$1,100,000

88692 ERMI BEE RD Springfield, Oregon

4 Beds 3 Baths 3,023 SqFt 5.05 Acres

$495,000

2386 CLEAR VUE LN Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 1 Baths 1,008 SqFt 0.97 Acres

$939,000

88604 ERMI BEE RD Springfield, Oregon

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,480 SqFt 5 Acres

$409,900

4848 DAISY ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,212 SqFt 0.14 Acres

$359,000

549 S 34TH ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,206 SqFt 0.11 Acres

$399,900

155 B ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 1 Baths 1,268 SqFt 0.16 Acres

$725,000

38383 KICKBUSCH LN Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 2,135 SqFt 6.99 Acres

$598,900

1723 DOTIE DR Springfield, Oregon

4 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,010 SqFt 0.11 Acres

$390,000

855 22ND ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,008 SqFt 0.17 Acres

$599,900

41815 MADRONE ST Springfield, Oregon

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,984 SqFt 0.54 Acres

$800,000

2403 15TH ST Springfield, Oregon

5 Beds 3 Baths 2,586 SqFt 0.35 Acres

$385,000

4195 DAISY ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,205 SqFt 0.18 Acres

$420,000

73 SHADY LOOP Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,034 SqFt 0.14 Acres

$424,995

2989 T ST Springfield, Oregon

3 Beds 2.1 Baths 1,680 SqFt

$625,000

3369 FALCON DR Springfield, Oregon

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,512 SqFt 0.12 Acres

Springfield Versus Eugene: Why People are Choosing to Move to Springfield, Oregon

Springfield’s neighbor, Eugene has a long-held reputation as a progressive, countercultural mecca. Springfield, meanwhile, has historically had deep connections to the timber industry, with its population running on the conservative side.

Springfield’s industries have since diversified, though. Healthcare professionals are in luck: Springfield is home to the recently-constructed Sacred Heart at RiverBend, the region’s primary hospital and by far Springfield’s largest employer. McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center midtown is also a top employer.

Office, administrative, and sales jobs also make up a significant portion of Springfield’s employment opportunities. The tech industry has a strong presence too.

In reality, the cultural boundary between Eugene and Springfield is becoming increasingly blurry. Especially if we’re talking about places to live, work, raise a family, and engage your community, the stereotypes become less important.

Land in the West Springfield neighborhoods of Kelly Butte, Glenwood, and Downtown Springfield, you’ll be just a stone’s throw and a skip away from the heart of Eugene and all that makes it unique. But you’ll also have access to plenty else. And, it bears mentioning again, your pocketbook will benefit (for now) from Springfield’s lower cost of living.

The areas around downtown boast the kind of walkability that would be the envy of most neighborhoods in Eugene. Whatever is on your checklist of places to go, you’re not likely to miss it here.

Downtown Springfield has its own craft brewery (the excellent Plank Town Brewing), numerous coffee spots (our favorite is the Washburn Cafe), a performing arts venue, organic grocers (Main Street Market and Wynant’s Family Health Foods), yoga studios, a vegan cafe,  a bakery, and two pizzerias (Mezza Luna and Bartolotti’s, both excellent). All of this is within a half-mile radius.

Oh, Downtown Springfield also features an ax-throwing studio, not to mention Public House Hub, featuring a beer hall, food carts, outdoor seating, and a whiskey bar. It was recently ranked number 8 on Men’s Journal’s “10 Coolest Places in America to Drink Craft Beer.”

Springfield, Oregon is on the map now in other words, having stepped out finally from Eugene’s easterly shadow. It helps that Simpsons creator Matt Groening has finally acknowledged what we’ve known all along: Springfield, Oregon is the real Springfield. The Simpsons mural downtown featured at the top stands as a testament to this connection.

Getting to Know Springfield, Oregon’s Neighborhoods

If all of the above sounds appealing (or most of it–we’re still not sure about the ax-throwing), then the next step is to take a look at Springfield’s various neighborhoods.

Technically speaking, Springfield doesn’t have officially-designated neighborhoods. The effect is that there are a number of different ways to slice the pie. For our purposes, we’ll divide Springfield into four different areas: West Springfield, North Springfield, Midtown, and East Springfield/Thurston.

West Springfield is centered around downtown, which we’ve covered already. Basically, if you want to be in the thick of things, West Springfield is the place to be. But it also features some of the area’s most desirable homes, ranging from the $300k range all the way up into the $600k+ range.

The Washburne Historic District just north of downtown features a charming plethora of homes built at the turn of the 19th and early 20th century. Meanwhile, the Kelly Butte neighborhood west of Pioneer Parkway and south of Centennial Blvd. features a lovely view atop its eponymous butte as well and access to the Willamette River and Island Park. There are plenty of lovely mid-century homes and a handful of newer properties.

Midtown, spanning the area south of Highway 126 between Mohawk Boulevard on the west and 42nd Street to the east, is usually considered one of the less desirable sections of Springfield. First-time home-buyers take note, though. Between Mohawk Boulevard and 28th Street, you can still find some homes under $300,000.

Walkability decreases, obviously, the further east you proceed, and central Springfield’s commercial and industrial sprawl become more prominent. Larger, more recently-constructed homes start to become more common, though, available for less per square foot than you’ll find elsewhere. South of Jasper Road, you’ll find yourself within walking distance of Clearwater Park and the Willamette River, with its many walking and biking paths.

The East Springfield neighborhood, including Thurston to the far east, features a large concentration of affordable newer construction in the southeast. Elsewhere, 70s, 80s, and 90s-vintage homes are common. The hillside homes south of Highway 126 and east of Bob Straub Parkway particularly stand out, offering contemporary finishes and design, with prices typically in the $600k+ range.

Going further out Highway 126, million-dollar homes on acreage are not uncommon, giving you the best of both luxurious country-living and a short driving distance to the amenities of Eugene and Springfield. If these kinds of properties are your cup of tea, or perhaps simpler, more affordable homes on acreage, check out our Guide to Oregon Farm and Ranch Properties.

Last but not least, North Springfield, bounded by I5 on the west and Marcola Road and the McKenzie River on the east, is certainly worth considering. The streets north of Hayden Bridge Way and to the east of MLK Jr. Parkway feature some of Springfield’s most desirable real estate, including scattered luxury properties, and some of the finest newer construction you’ll find close to town. Further east, the neighborhood starts to feel a bit more rural, perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful vibe without being too far from the center of it all.

The Springfield, Oregon Housing Market: Cheaper than Eugene, but the Gap is Narrowing

We promised a deeper dive into Springfield’s real estate market, and that’s exactly what you’ll get here. After you’ve gotten a bit of a feel for Springfield’s different neighborhoods, the next logical step is to figure out if you can afford a home that you’ll want to live in.

Cheaper housing in Springfield means a lower cost of living than in many other parts of Oregon. But, as we’ve already emphasized, that may not be the case forever. First-time home-buyers are feeling increasingly squeezed out of Eugene’s market, particularly the ultra-competitive neighborhoods of South Eugene.

Home prices are more reasonable in North Eugene, particularly the northwest quadrant. Lately, however, more and more buyers have come to see Springfield as a more desirable destination than Eugene’s northern reaches. In general, if walkability is important to you, we’d agree that West Springfield is just a better place all-around to buy a home than many parts of North Eugene.

Springfield, of course, has its less desirable areas too. It’s difficult to make blanket statements about “Eugene’s real estate market” or “Springfield’s real estate market” when there’s so much variation from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Nonetheless, when prices in one part of town go up, prices elsewhere tend to follow. It’s also true that Springfield’s market is tied to Eugene’s to a large extent.

What to Expect if You’re Planning to Move to Springfield, Oregon

In any real estate market, there are desirable properties, and then there are not-so-desirable properties. But, depending on how picky you are, both Eugene and Springfield’s markets probably have few of the former and a surplus of the latter.

Part of it is that homeowners here have long been spoiled by a market strongly weighted toward sellers. That means there’s less incentive to perform the kind of improvements that are mandatory in many other markets.

So, when attractive, move-in-ready properties with high-quality finishes go on the market in desirable neighborhoods, they go fast. That’s true at most price points, let alone the first-time home-buyer range.

Navigating the market here is most often a matter of persistence and of some amount of compromise. It’s going to be hard to take a weekend trip to Springfield and expect to find your dream home, even if you have plenty of cash to throw on the table.

There’s no substitute for getting your own feel for Springfield’s different neighborhoods. It almost goes without saying that you won’t really know what’s going on with a house until you’ve stepped inside and know where it sits in relation to everything else around it.

We often recommend to clients who are relocating that they consider a month-to-month rental, or even spend a whole year in the area before leaping into the housing market. It’s advice that most realtors won’t give because it doesn’t lead to a quick sale. But in many cases, it’s the advice we feel best serves our clients.

Eugene and Springfield’s rental market is just as tight as the housing market. That’s especially true if you’re looking for pet-friendly housing. But at least there’s a lot less at stake if you end up in a dud.

Having a better sense of just the life you’d like to live in Springfield, or anywhere for that matter, could give you a much better sense of exactly what your housing needs are. You might find yourself taking to canoeing, for example. It can actually be challenging to find a storage space that can accommodate an 18-foot canoe.

But whether you’re just starting to think about moving to Springfield or have a job lined up and are ready to pull the trigger, we’re here to advise you each step of the way.

We hope this article has been a good introduction, and we’d love to get more in-depth about your particular situation. Contact our Eugene office today, and we’ll get you started on the right foot, wherever the process might lead you.