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Moving from Washington to Oregon

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

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

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

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

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
Washington
107.0
Oregon
103.4
Oregon has 3.4% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Oregon
108.6
Oregon has 14% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Oregon
100.8
Oregon has 0.9% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Oregon
100.5
Oregon has 0.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Oregon has 3.4% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Oregon
100.7
Oregon has 0.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Oregon
$497,500
Oregon is 17% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Oregon is 16% 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
Washington
79°F
Oregon
80°F
Oregon is 1.3% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Oregon
36°F
Oregon is 2.9% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Oregon
50°F
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Oregon
144
Oregon has 5.3% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Oregon
37 in
Oregon is 8.5% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Oregon
28
Oregon has 28% lower AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Oregon
22 in
Oregon is 24% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonOregon 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 Washington?

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

Washington tops out at 0% 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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