Factors affecting the cost of moving from WA to OR
There are many factors that influence
Washington moving costs.
The cost to move from Washington 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 Washington 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 WA to OR
If you’re moving to Oregon from Washington, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Washington vs. Oregon
|
Washington |
Oregon |
| Average rent cost |
$1,900 |
$1,373 |
| Average home cost |
$588,856 |
$492,683 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$90,325 |
$76,632 |
| Cost of Living Index |
115 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.8% |
4.0% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.5% |
0.0% |
| State Income Tax |
0.0% |
9.9% |
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Rent is about 28% less expensive in Oregon than in Washington.
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Home prices are about 16% lower in Oregon than in Washington.
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The average income is about 15% lower in Oregon than in Washington.
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Cost of living is 13% lower in Oregon than in Washington.
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Oregon has a lower unemployment rate than Washington by about 17%.
-
Sales taxes are 100% lower in Oregon than in Washington.
-
Income taxes are 10% higher in Oregon than in Washington.
How life is different in Oregon vs. Washington
|
Oregon |
Washington |
| Population |
4,233,358 |
7,812,880 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 56-44 |
Democratic |
| Summer high |
82ºF |
79ºF |
| Winter low |
31ºF |
31ºF |
| Annual rain |
41" |
38" |
| Annual snow |
13" |
18" |
| Crime index |
32.78 |
37.32 |
-
The population of Oregon is approximately 46% lower than the population of Washington.
-
In the last presidential election, Oregon voted Democratic and Washington voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Oregon is 82ºF
and in Washington, it’s 79ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Oregon reaches the temperature of 31ºF
and Washington gets down to 31ºF.
-
You can expect about 41 inches of annual rainfall in Oregon versus 38 inches of rainfall in Washington.
-
In Oregon, it snows about 13 inches annually
versus 18 inches of snow in Washington.
-
Oregon has a lower crime rate than Washington with a crime index
of 32.78 vs. 37.32.
Comparing the pros of Washington 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 Washington.
| Pros of living in Washington |
Pros of living in Oregon |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Beautiful landscapes |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Delicious and authentic wineries |
| High quality of life |
Beautiful summer weather |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities |
No sales tax |
| Delicious seafood |
Abundant outdoor recreational activities |
Comparing the cons of living in Washington 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 Washington for Oregon.
| Cons of living in Washington |
Cons of living in Oregon |
| Constant rain |
Difficult housing market |
| Bad traffic |
High cost of living |
| High cost of living |
Poor quality education |
| High crime rate |
Low marks for personal safety |
| Natural disasters |
Heavy tax burden |
Other things to consider for your Washington to Oregon move
- 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.
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Moving permits:
Oregon does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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.
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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.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Oregon
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 Washington to Oregon?
Do movers transport your car from Washington to Oregon?
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 Washington to Oregon
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Washington to Oregon?
The main reasons people are moving from Washington 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 Washington or Oregon?
It is generally cheaper to live in Oregon than in Washington.
Housing
is more affordable in Oregon,
with average rent about 28% less and home prices 16.3% lower than in Washington.
Washington has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Oregon?
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
Washington moving services
Popular Washington routes
Best overall value
