Factors affecting the cost of moving from WV to ORtoggle

There are many factors that influence West Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 WV to OR

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

Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Oregon

West Virginia Oregon
Average rent cost $899 $1,373
Average home cost $168,172 $492,683
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $76,632
Cost of Living Index 90 100
Unemployment rate 4.2% 4.0%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 0.0%
State Income Tax 6.5% 9.9%
  • Rent is about 53% more expensive in Oregon than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 193% higher in Oregon than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 39% higher in Oregon than in West Virginia.
  • Cost of living is 11% lower in Oregon than in West Virginia.
  • Oregon has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 5%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in Oregon than in West Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 52% higher in Oregon than in West Virginia.

How life is different in Oregon vs. West Virginia

Oregon West Virginia
Population 4,233,358 1,782,959
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Republican 69-30
Summer high 82ºF 83ºF
Winter low 31ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 41" 45"
Annual snow 13" 33"
Crime index 32.78 17.47
  • The population of Oregon is approximately 137% greater than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Oregon voted Democratic and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Oregon is 82ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Oregon reaches the temperature of 31ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about 41 inches of annual rainfall in Oregon versus 45 inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Oregon, it snows about 13 inches annually versus 33 inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Oregon has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 32.78 vs. 17.47.

Comparing the pros of West Virginia 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 West Virginia.

Pros of living in West Virginia Pros of living in Oregon
Low cost of living Beautiful landscapes
Abundant outdoor activities Delicious and authentic wineries
4 distinct seasons of weather Beautiful summer weather
Immense natural beauty No sales tax
Relaxed small cities and towns Abundant outdoor recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia 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 West Virginia for Oregon.

Cons of living in West Virginia Cons of living in Oregon
Dismal economy Difficult housing market
High rates of crime High cost of living
High rates of drug abuse Poor quality education
Shrinking population Low marks for personal safety
Lack of diversity Heavy tax burden

Other things to consider for your West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Oregon?toggle

Hiring a full-service West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Oregon separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from West Virginia to Oregon?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from West Virginia 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 West Virginia or Oregon?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Oregon. Housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 35% less and home prices 66% lower than in Oregon. Taxes are also lower in West Virginia, 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