Oregon, Oregon, Oregon.
Say Oregon too many times fast, and you will be Ore-gone, hightailing your way to the state’s endless offerings of natural beauty—clear blue water and towering mountains. (We will spare you the awful puns now—we promise.)
But this state doesn’t just offer picture-worthy beauty. It’s also home to great food and craft beer (with no sales tax). While exploring the nooks and crannies of Oregon’s towns, you will discover many bits of eccentricity that keep people coming back for more.
But if you show up expecting something from the scenes of Portlandia, you may be slightly disappointed. Life in the great state is a little different from the iconic television show. But no need to catch up on the show or Google endlessly to know if Oregon will be a good-fit for you.
Moving APT with its decades of experience moving thousands of people to Oregon—has gathered everything you need to know so you can make the right choice for you—and a prepared move to the great state of Oregon.
Why people are flocking to Oregon
Most people hear about unique mountain adventures and thirst-quenching indie beer and race to call Oregon home. But it has more to offer than just that, trust us:
1. Mild Weather that doesn’t freeze your toes off
Snuggled in on the west coast, Oregon gets the benefit of mild weather; it’s never too hot or too cold, meaning you can hit the beach and the mountains in the same day, if you wanted to.
2. Breathtaking natural views worth bragging about
Ever wonder where those natural blue waters and snow-capped mountain pics came from? Probably Oregon. With fields of lush lavender and horizons decked with mountains, even when you’re in the city you can catch a glimpse of the natural wonders that await you.
3. Award-winning wineries (not just beer)
With a pocket of wineries just south west of Portland, there’s plenty for everyone. If you are a pinot noir fan, the grapes grown in Oregon are just for you!
4. More than 350+ miles of bike lanes
Portland is the most bike-friendly city in the nation. With miles and miles of bike lanes, Portland is truly a city you can get around without a car. Over 22,000 commute with their bike everyday.
5. Lowest carbon footprint in America
Oregon creates about 70.6% of its power through renewable energy generation, and it doesn’t generate any power from coal. Pair that with the hundreds of miles of bike lanes and everyday bike commuters, and you’ve got one of the environmentally friendly cities in America.
6. Hit the beach and mountains in one day
Portland is located only about 1.5 hours from the coast and 1.5 hours from some of the most famous peaks in Oregon. So if you’re really feeling ambitious, you can hit the mountains and the beach all in one day.
7. Voodoo Doughnuts
Voodoo Doughnuts is a testament to the eccentric, unique food scene that fills the streets of Oregon. Known for its uniqueness, Oregon has been home to many food spots that offer food you can’t find anywhere else. Of course, Voodoo doughnuts now exists in every corner of the US, but the doughnut revolution started right there in the streets of Oregon.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Oregon?
On average, moving to Oregon can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $16,000 or more.
Moving costs can vary based on several different details, including type of service (truck rental, moving container, full service long distance movers), how much you need to move, how far you need to move, and many other details that could add costs to your move: stairs, elevators, and irregular large objects.
Here’s what you can expect to pay to move to Oregon:
| Type of Service | 1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedrooms | 4-5 Bedrooms |
| DIY/Truck Rental | $350 – $2250 | $700 – $4250 | $1600 – $4850 |
| Moving Container | $750 – $2750 | $1200 – $5000 | $2400 – $7900 |
| Full Service | $1300 – $3900 | $1900 – $8800 | $3500 – $16500 |
Want to know more about the cost of moving? Check out these articles for more information:
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What are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Oregon
Pros
- No Sales Tax: Yes, sales tax is not deducted here. Generally, the price seen on the tag is what you pay. However, there is a higher personal income tax rate in the state.
- Outdoor activities: If you love being outdoor, you will like Oregon. There are numerous adventures to enjoy in Oregon, such as hiking, world-class skiing, and whitewater rafting, and so on.
- Strong economy: The state sits with the top 10 rapidly developing state economies. This development is projected to go on with a continual increase in population as well as job opportunities.
- Low carbon footprint: Since many eco-friendly buildings in the country are located here, the carbon footprint in Oregon is highly low. Portland is one of the greenest cities in the entire universe.
Cons
- Total tax burden: Income tax starts from 5% to 9.9%, making the state one of the top 10 highest income tax states. It has the 19th highest local and state tax burden in the United States currently.
- No professional sports: Although Oregon is home to the Portland Trailblazers (NBA) as well as Portland Timbers (MLS), it still has just one professional basketball team as well as one professional soccer team.
- High Cost of Living: Right now, Oregon is ranked the second-worst state to live in as its cost of living index is at 129.5%, making it one third above the national average.
- Potential earthquakes: On the same risk level as Washington and California, the state is at the risk of a huge one around 8.0 or higher. Coastal towns would also have to experience a tough tsunami.
What's the cost of living in Oregon?
The cost of living is higher than the country’s average by 30%, but the cost of living in Oregon seems reasonable when compared to states like New York or California.
Per MERIC’s third-quarter 2021 cost of living index, Oregon ranks 46 out of 51 states, meaning there are only 5 states have a higher cost of living than Oregon. Ouch!
Those beautiful views and quirky city details come with a not-so-cheap price tag.
Expenses will differ based on individual needs, family size, as well as the region you choose to settle in.
If you want to keep your cost of living low, you can consider some of the eastern parts of Oregon, such as Baker City, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hermiston.
| Expenditure | Portland | Eugene |
| Food | $903 | $761 |
| Transportation | $1,189 | $1,186 |
| Housing | $1,348 | $967 |
| Healthcare | $1,076 | $983 |
| Taxes | $908 | $697 |
| Other Necessities | $1,113 | $1,179 |
What are the Best Places to Live in Oregon?
- Portland: Known for its vibrant culture, food scene, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Bend: A popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and fishing.
- Eugene: A college town with a strong arts and music scene, as well as plenty of green spaces and parks.
- Medford: A growing city with a strong economy, a mild climate, and access to outdoor recreation in Southern Oregon.
- Hillsboro: A suburb of Portland with a strong tech industry and a growing downtown area.
- Ashland: A historic town known for its Shakespeare Festival and its proximity to outdoor recreation in Southern Oregon.
How is the Job Market in Oregon?
Historically, Oregon’s industries have been focused on natural resources like forestry and agriculture. Over time, its job market has become more and more resilient.
Today, Oregon has a strong job market with many thriving businesses with its agriculture focus being bolstered by mining, energy, and manufacturing.
According to a report compiled by The Oregonian in 2022, these were the jobs that managers were scrambling to fill.
Oregon jobs with the most vacancies
| Occupation | Vacancies | Open 60+ Days |
| Retail Salespersons | $4,878 | $1,572 |
| Personal Care Aides | $4,747 | $1,202 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $2,973 | $1,001 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $2,695 | $924 |
| Nursing Assistants | $2,540 | $764 |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $2,479 | $1,192 |
| Registered Nurses | $2,099 | $823 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $1,859 | $570 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $1,856 | $464 |
| Cashiers | $1,837 | $309 |
| All Occupations | $96,887 | $30,906 |
Note: Oregon doesn’t collect wage data for individual occupations.
The average take-home salary in Oregon as of March 20, 2021 was $45,530 per annum.
And in case you are looking for a simple income calculator, that comes out to about $21.89 per hour. This is the same as $876 per week or $3,794 per month.
What is Oregon Most Known For?
Oregon is a popular tourist destination, and from pictures, it’s clear why. Oregon is home to some of the most incredible natural beauties.
Here’s why people flock to Oregon:
1. Crater Lake National Park
Crater lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It is a volcanic crater known far and wide for its water clarity and blue-colored water. Interestingly enough, the lake was fish-less until 1888 when William Steele introduced fingerling to improve the lakes recreational opportunity.
But the stocking of non-native fish ended in 1941 as it was known to alter the natural condition of the late.
2. Cannon Beach
Cannon beach is a quaint city nestled on the Oregon coast. It is most popular for its sea stacks, large towering rock towers right on the coast. But it’s also home to puffins and miles of hiking trails where you can view the beautiful sea-scapes.
3. Mount Hood National Forest
Mount Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano. If you’ve seen pictures of Portland’s horizon, it’s very likely you’ve seen the sole peak with its snow cap on. It is an incredibly prominent landmark of Oregon, and a visual reminder of the volcanic activity in the area.
4. Rafting trips on the Deschutes River
The Deschutes river is a staple in Bend, Oregon. It has been historically known for its utility, and today, more-so for its recreation. It is one of the largest spring-fed rivers in the US.
It’s nickname is the “Peculiar River” as it has eerily consistent water levels all year long. Rafting down the Deschutes has been a summer recreational activity for generations now and continues to be.
5. Excursions to the volcanic landscapes of Lava Butte
If you move to Oregon without knowing about its volcanic activity, then you are in for a surprise. There are tons of volcanos in the area, which means the area also gets massive earthquakes.
Oregon is set to see one of the most massive earthquakes, “The Big One,” for many years now. When it will hit? Still uncertain, but the huge earthquake is rumored to destroy many of the cities in the area.
6. Skiing at the large Mount Bachelor Ski Area
Hitting the slopes is easy to do in Oregon. With the Mount Bachelor ski resort, people get their fill on the slopes from skiing to snowboarding.
7. Smith Rock is a climbers paradise
Climbers from all over the world travel to climb at Smith Rock, a renowned climbing location. With over 2,000 routes, it’s a climbers paradise.
8. Oregon Film Museum
Running for over 12 years, the Oregon film festival features 90 films from over 12 countries every year, honoring the independent films of the past year. From comedies about partying to dramas about being blind to finding purpose, the film festival caters to a diverse taste.
9. Flavel House Museum in Astoria
Once the house of one of Astoria’s most influential people Captain George Flavel, the house now serves as a museum. It is one of the most well-preserved mansions in the northwest, showing exactly how the wealthy lived in the19th century.
What are the Best Schools & Universities in Oregon?
As one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation, Portland is also home to some of the most notable liberal arts colleges.
- Reed College: Ranks in the nation’s top 100 liberal arts schools.
- Willamette: Ranks in the nation’s top 100 liberal arts schools.
- Lewis and Clark: Ranks in the nation’s top 100 liberal arts schools.
- University of Portland: Ranks #1 in regional universities: west.
- University of Oregon: Ranks #105 in national universities.
- Oregon State University: Ranks #151 of national universities.
Frequently Asked Questions Before Moving to Oregon
Why are residents of California moving to Oregon?
People from all over the country (especially California) are planning a move to Oregon due to the Mediterranean-style climate. With the state’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the climate, as well as the weather, is highly influenced by this. The western region of the state is very wet since it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.
What salary is good in Oregon?
The average yearly pay as of March 20, 2021, for jobs in the decent category in Oregon is $45,530 per annum. In case you are looking for a simple income calculator, that calculates to about $21.89 per hour. This is the same as $876 per week or $3,794 per month.
Is the state of Oregon a good place to move to?
Oregon is indeed a good state with an amazing history. Its weather and landscape a top-quality of life, and if you pick the perfect city, you will have a lot of jobs to select from.
Where in Oregon should I move to?
Some of the widely known and rapidly developing areas in the whole of Oregon include, Portland and Bend. Portland is the largest city in Oregon which that offers everything, such as food scenes, job market, entertaining games, global events, and so on.
How safe is it to live in Oregon?
Oregon is isolated among the states in the country because of its different rates of violent and property crime. It has a violent crime rate of 2.82 per 1,000, which is perfect for being the 15th lowest in the United States; yet, property crime is the 7th highest in the country.
How long before I become a resident in Oregon?
To be eligible as a resident of Oregon (for the sake of tuition), you must reside in the state for 12 straight months while earning eight credits or less per term as you show that they are in the state for a major purpose aside from education (like volunteering, working, or other purposes).
Is living in Oregon or Washington better?
Oregon scores better than Washington in many aspects, which include the cost of living and taxes. Living in Vancouver, Washington is recommended as you can in Oregon and reside and work in Washington, and rent is around $200 to $400 cheaper in Vancouver.
Make your move to Oregon easier with Moving APT
Oregon is a great state to call home with an amazingly rich adventure waiting for you in every moment. Its weather, landscape, and quality of life are rivaled by very few other states, and if you pick the right city for you and your family, you will have a lot of jobs to choose from.
If you have any questions about making the move, don’t be a stranger. Shoot us an email and we will get you on the road to Oregon in no time.
