The May Market Report: Columbia River Gorge Real Estate Snapshot
May in the Gorge is one of my favorite times of year, the wildflowers are out, the waterfalls are roaring, and the real estate market is very much awake. If you've been watching listings or thinking about making a move, here's what I'm seeing right now.
Spring inventory is up, which is good news for buyers who felt squeezed out over the winter. We're not swimming in listings by any means, but there's more to choose from than there was in January and February.
At the same time, demand hasn't cooled. The Gorge continues to attract buyers from Portland, Seattle, and the Bay Area who want more space, outdoor access, and a genuine sense of community. May is often the month when those buyers go from "thinking about it" to "let's actually do this."
Hood River: May 2026 Sold Listings
Median sold price: $780,000 — up 6.8% from the month before
Homes sold: 7
Sold-to-list price ratio: 91.49% — meaning homes sold for about 8.5% below asking, on average
Median days on market: 25 — up sharply (108% month over month, so homes sat longer than February)
Median price per sq ft: $429
Hood River: May 2026 Active Listings
32 active listings — up 28% month over month, so inventory is growing
Median list price: $867,500
Median days on market for active listings: 45 days
Price per sq ft: $460
White Salmon: May 2026 Sold Listings
Median sold price: $590,000 — down 16.3% from the month before (small sample size, so swings like this are normal)
Homes sold: 5
Sold-to-list price ratio: 99.82% — homes are selling for essentially full asking price
Median days on market: 4 days — down 50% from February, meaning homes are moving extremely fast
Median price per sq ft: $479
White Salmon: May 2026 Active Listings
16 active listings — down 5.9% from last month, so inventory is actually tightening
Median list price: $687,500
Median days on market for active listings: 150 days — a wide gap between what's sitting and what's selling, which usually means overpriced listings are dragging the average up
Price per sq ft: $372
What I'm Seeing Town by Town
Hood River Still the most competitive pocket of the market. Well-priced homes, especially anything under $800,000 with a view or walkable to downtown are moving quickly. If you're buying here, being pre-approved and ready to move fast is table stakes. Sellers in Hood River are in a strong position, but overpricing still stings; a handful of listings have had to reduce after sitting longer than expected.
The Dalles This is where I keep pointing buyers who want more for their money. Values here are running quite a bit below Hood River for comparable square footage, and the community has been quietly growing. More inventory, a little more breathing room on negotiation, and a genuinely strong local economy anchored by Google/Amazon data centers nearby. Worth a serious look if you've been priced out elsewhere.
White Salmon & Bingen (Washington side) No state income tax and a stunning view of the river make this side attractive, and we're seeing steady interest from Oregon-side buyers willing to make the bridge commute. Inventory here tends to be thinner, but when something good hits the market it doesn't last long.
Mosier, Lyle & the smaller communities These are the quiet corners of the Gorge market. If you want acreage, privacy, and a slower pace and you can work remotely. Prices are lower, but so is turnover, so patience matters.
The Gorge market in May feels healthy. Buyers have some options. Sellers who price well are getting results. And the underlying appeal of this place hasn't changed: people want to live here, and there are only so many homes.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in the Gorge and want to talk through what the numbers mean for your specific situation, I'd love to connect.
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