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Moving from California to Oregon

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

OR state flag
Moving to

Oregon

Capital: Salem

Median household income $76,362 · winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days

Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

Oregon has an overall price level 103.4 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Oregon
103.4
Oregon has 6.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Oregon
108.6
Oregon has 30% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Oregon
100.8
Oregon has 1.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Oregon
100.5
Oregon has 1.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Oregon has 55% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Oregon
100.7
Oregon has 1.4% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Oregon
$497,500
Oregon is 34% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Oregon is 25% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 80°F · Winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Oregon
80°F
Oregon is 4.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Oregon
36°F
Oregon is 20% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Oregon
50°F
Oregon is 15% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Oregon
144
Oregon has 44% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Oregon
37 in
Oregon is 43% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
California
68
Oregon
28
Oregon has 59% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Oregon
22 in
Oregon is 38% more annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaOregon report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Oregon than California?

Oregon's overall price level is roughly 100.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Oregon tops out at 9.9%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Oregon?

Most Oregon residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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