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Moving from Iowa to Oregon

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

IA state flag
Living now

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

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
Iowa
87.8
Oregon
103.4
Oregon has 18% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Oregon
108.6
Oregon has 66% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Oregon
100.8
Oregon has 4.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Oregon
100.5
Oregon has 2.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Oregon has 11% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Oregon
100.7
Oregon has 3.2% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Oregon
$497,500
Oregon is 119% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Oregon is 79% more expensive 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
Iowa
85°F
Oregon
80°F
Oregon is 5.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Oregon
36°F
Oregon is 177% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Oregon
50°F
Oregon is 3.7% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Oregon
144
Oregon has 28% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Oregon
37 in
Oregon is 4.0% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Oregon
28
Oregon has 62% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Oregon
22 in
Oregon is 27% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaOregon 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 Iowa?

Oregon's overall price level is roughly 100.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 90 for Iowa — 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?

Iowa tops out at 3.8% 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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