ZIP Code · OR

ZIP 97838

Part of Hermiston, OR

Pop. 28,512·Umatilla County·79th most expensive ZIP in Oregon

Median rent (all units)

$1,663/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.3%

Month-over-Month

-1.1%

vs US Median

-$269

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 97838 · $1,663

More affordable than 61% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$910

1 BR

$1,010

2 BR

$1,320

3 BR

$1,840

4 BR+

$2,210

Research median

$1,320/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Oregon

Rent in ZIP 97838 changed +7.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 106 Oregon ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($69,599) is $1,740 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,320); a 3-bedroom is $1,840.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 97838. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,956/yr

At $1,663/mo median

Location

CityHermiston

StateOR

CountyUmatilla County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (7.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.3% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 97838 (Hermiston, OR) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 16.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

28,512

Median income

$69,599

Median age

34.3

Renters

28.8%

Age distribution

27.6%

23.2%

26.5%

13.2%

Under 1827.6%

18–3423.2%

35–5426.5%

55–649.6%

65+13.2%

Gender

50.9%

49.1%

Male50.9%

Female49.1%

Race & ethnicity

57.1%

46.4%

White57.1%

Black0.7%

Hispanic46.4%

Asian1.1%

Education (25+)

21.3%

30.5%

31.8%

16.4%

No HS diploma21.3%

HS diploma30.5%

Some college31.8%

Bachelor's+16.4%

Housing tenure

71.2%

28.8%

Owner71.2%

Renter28.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 97838 in Hermiston, OR has changed in 5 years

Income

$68,340 → $69,599

up 1.8%

Population

27,318 → 28,512

up 4.4%

Renter share

32.8% → 28.8%

-4.0 pts

Bachelor's+

18.8% → 16.4%

-2.4 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 97838 in Hermiston, OR now reports about $69,599, up from $68,340 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 27,318 to 28,512 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.4% change. About 28.8% of households rent today, against 32.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 18.8% to 16.4%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 97838

About renting in ZIP 97838

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 97838 covers Hermiston, OR. The median rent here is $1,663/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,010/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,320/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($69,599/yr), ZIP 97838 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 97838?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,663/mo in ZIP 97838. The local median household income is $69,599/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 97838?

Rent in ZIP 97838 has risen 7.3% over the past year.

How does ZIP 97838 compare to other ZIPs in Oregon?

ZIP 97838 is one of the more affordable among Oregon ZIP codes for rent, ranking #79 of 114 at $1,663/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 97838 changed +7.3%, against a typical +1.6% across the 106 Oregon ZIP codes Zillow tracks.