Factors affecting the cost of moving from RI to ORtoggle

There are many factors that influence Rhode Island moving costs. The cost to move from Rhode Island to Oregon will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Rhode Island is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from RI to OR

If you’re moving to Oregon from Rhode Island, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Rhode Island vs. Oregon

Rhode Island Oregon
Average rent cost $1,195 $1,373
Average home cost $467,485 $492,683
Average income (per capita) $81,370 $76,632
Cost of Living Index 100 100
Unemployment rate 4.6% 4.0%
Average Sales Tax 7.0% 0.0%
State Income Tax 5.99% 9.9%
  • Rent is about 15% more expensive in Oregon than in Rhode Island.
  • Home prices are about 5% higher in Oregon than in Rhode Island.
  • The average income is about 6% lower in Oregon than in Rhode Island.
  • Cost of living is about the same in Oregon and Rhode Island.
  • Oregon has a lower unemployment rate than Rhode Island by about 13%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in Oregon than in Rhode Island.
  • Income taxes are 65% higher in Oregon than in Rhode Island.

How life is different in Oregon vs. Rhode Island

Oregon Rhode Island
Population 4,233,358 1,093,734
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Democratic 56-44
Summer high 82ºF 82ºF
Winter low 31ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 41" 50"
Annual snow 13" 35"
Crime index 32.78 14.58
  • The population of Oregon is approximately 287% greater than the population of Rhode Island.
  • In the last presidential election, Oregon voted Democratic and Rhode Island voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Oregon is 82ºF and in Rhode Island, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Oregon reaches the temperature of 31ºF and Rhode Island gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 41 inches of annual rainfall in Oregon versus 50 inches of rainfall in Rhode Island.
  • In Oregon, it snows about 13 inches annually versus 35 inches of snow in Rhode Island.
  • Oregon has a higher crime rate than Rhode Island with a crime index of 32.78 vs. 14.58.

Comparing the pros of Rhode Island vs. Oregon

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Oregon compared to Rhode Island.

Pros of living in Rhode Island Pros of living in Oregon
Beautiful landscapes Beautiful landscapes
Delicious seafood Delicious and authentic wineries
Rich history Beautiful summer weather
Amazing beaches No sales tax
Short drives Abundant outdoor recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in Rhode Island vs. Oregon

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Rhode Island for Oregon.

Cons of living in Rhode Island Cons of living in Oregon
High cost of living Difficult housing market
Heavy traffic and lousy drivers High cost of living
Smallest state Poor quality education
Cold winters Low marks for personal safety
Dense population Heavy tax burden

Other things to consider for your Rhode Island to Oregon movetoggle

  • Weather: Most of Oregon has a generally mild climate, though there is significant variation given the variety of landscapes across the state. Oregon is very wet in the winter, moderately to very wet during the spring and fall, and dry during the summer. The eastern two-thirds of Oregon, which largely comprise high desert, have cold, snowy winters and very dry summers.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Oregon does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Oregon. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Oregontoggle

While you’re in Oregon, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
  • Mount Hood National Forest
  • Cannon Beach
  • Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
  • Visit Yachats
  • Visit Astoria
  • Oregon Coast Aquarium
  • Wallowa Lake
  • Portland Japanese Garden
  • Smith Rock State Park
  • Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
  • Silver Falls State Park
  • Willamette National Forest
  • Newberry National Volcanic Monument
  • Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
  • Columbia River Maritime Museum
  • High Desert Museum
  • Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
  • Powell’s City of Books
  • Voodoo Doughnut
  • Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
  • Washington Park
  • John Day Fossil Beds
  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Rhode Island to Oregon?toggle

Hiring a full-service Rhode Island moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Rhode Island to Oregon?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Rhode Island to Oregon separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Rhode Island to Oregon?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Rhode Island to Oregon are the amazing upsides of living in Oregon such as beautiful landscapes and delicious and authentic wineries.

Is it cheaper to live in Rhode Island or Oregon?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Rhode Island than in Oregon. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Rhode Island, with average rent about 13% less and home prices 5% lower than in Oregon. Taxes are also lower in Rhode Island, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Oregon residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Oregon?toggle

You should make approximately $74,159 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Oregon. The cost of living in Oregon is approximately $2,193 per month for an individual and $5,228 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Oregon you live For example, larger cities like Portland and Eugene will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources