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Moving from Oregon to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

OR state flag
Living now

Oregon

Capital: Salem

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

Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Oregon
103.4
Washington
107.0
Washington has 3.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
Oregon
108.6
Washington
126.0
Washington has 16% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Oregon
100.8
Washington
101.8
Washington has 0.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Oregon
100.5
Washington
101.1
Washington has 0.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 3.3% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Oregon
100.7
Washington
101.4
Washington has 0.7% higher transportation
Median home value
Oregon
$497,500
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 21% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 19% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Oregon
80°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 1.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Oregon
36°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 2.8% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Oregon
50°F
Washington
50°F
Sunny days / year
Oregon
144
Washington
152
Washington has 5.6% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Oregon
37 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 9.3% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Oregon
28
Washington
39
Washington has 39% higher AQI
Snow / year
Oregon
22 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 32% more annual snowfall

Get the full OregonWashington 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 Washington than Oregon?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 100.5 for Oregon — 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?

Oregon tops out at 9.9% income tax. Washington tops out at 0%.

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

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

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