A new DHM Research poll for The Oregonian/OregonLive finds Gen Z voters increasingly see more opportunity outside Oregon, with frustration over high taxes and housing costs driving the outlook. For young buyers, the question is no longer just “can I afford a home here?” but “is staying here the right financial move?” The answer depends on your numbers, your income, and your loan options, and that is exactly where a mortgage broker who knows the whole market can help.
What did the poll find?
The poll, conducted Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, 2026, surveyed 600 registered Oregon voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The headline: voters are frustrated with high taxes and housing costs, and younger voters in particular see more opportunity outside Oregon. Affordability is the through-line, and for Gen Z it is shaping decisions about where to live, work, and buy.
The Oregonian/OregonLive’s coverage, published Oct. 12, 2026, walks through the full results. The part I pay closest attention to as a mortgage broker is the affordability thread, because that is the piece I can actually do something about.
Why is affordability hitting Gen Z hardest?
Younger buyers are earlier in their earning years, often with less saved for a down payment, and they are facing home prices that have climbed faster than wages. Add higher taxes and everyday costs, and the math of buying in Portland can feel out of reach. The benchmark of adulthood, buying a home and building wealth, can feel increasingly out of reach for this generation.
That is not a character flaw in young buyers, and it is not a reason to give up on owning. It is a math problem, and math problems have solutions. The first step is seeing your real numbers instead of the headline numbers.
The good news: you have more options than you think
Leaving Oregon is one option, but it is not the only one. The right loan structure can change the affordability math dramatically:
- Down payment assistance programs in Oregon and Washington
- FHA loans with 3.5% down
- VA and USDA options with zero down
- Conventional loans with as little as 3% down
- Programs for self-employed buyers
A lower rate and the right program can mean the difference between renting and owning. My down payment assistance page breaks down what is available in Oregon and Washington and how to qualify.
How can a mortgage broker help you run the real numbers?
I shop 170+ lenders for every loan and compare programs side by side, so you are not stuck with one bank’s rate sheet. That is the whole point of the services page: one broker, the whole wholesale market, and every option laid out in plain English.
Whether you are buying in Portland, moving to Vancouver or Camas, or looking at options elsewhere, the goal is the same: find the loan that makes your monthly payment work and keeps your long-term financial plan on track. Your mortgage is not just a loan. It is a key component of your overall wealth-building strategy, and it should be structured like one.
What should you do if you are thinking about leaving?
If affordability is pushing you to look elsewhere, do the math before you decide. Compare total cost of living, taxes, commute, and what a home actually costs to buy and carry in each place. Get pre-approved so you know exactly what you qualify for and what your payment would be. Sometimes the answer is a different city, and sometimes it is a different loan. My pre-approval roadmap shows what to gather and how the process works.
Your questions, answered
Here are the questions I hear most often when the affordability conversation comes up.
Is it true Gen Z is leaving Oregon?
A recent DHM Research poll for The Oregonian/OregonLive found younger voters increasingly see more opportunity outside Oregon, driven by frustration with high taxes and housing costs. It is a real signal worth paying attention to, and it is why getting the affordability math right matters more than ever.
How much house can I afford in Portland on my income?
It depends on your income, debts, down payment, and the current rate. I run the numbers with you and compare options across 170+ lenders so you know your real budget before you shop.
Are there down payment assistance programs in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon Housing and Community Services runs FirstHome and NextStep programs, and there are local programs too. I have guided buyers through these across the Portland metro and Southwest Washington. See the down payment assistance page for the current details.
Can I afford to buy if I am a first-time buyer?
Often yes, with the right program. FHA loans start at 3.5% down, conventional loans at 3%, and VA and USDA loans can go to zero down. The key is getting pre-approved and comparing your options.
The bottom line
Whether you are staying, leaving, or still deciding, the smartest next step is the same: get your real numbers in front of you. I will run them with you and show you what is actually possible with today’s rates, your income, and the programs you qualify for.
I am Jeff Naylor, a mortgage broker in Camas, Washington, serving buyers and sellers across the Portland Metro and Southwest Washington, including Vancouver, Ridgefield, Washougal, Happy Valley, and the surrounding counties. First-time buyers, growing families, and investors all get the same treatment: straight answers, real numbers, and no pressure to move faster than you are ready to.
If you are weighing whether to stay or go, book a call or send a message. We will look at your situation together and build a plan that fits your payment and your timeline. Thanks, Jeff.