If you are thinking of relocating to Oregon from California, and wondering whether it is the right step to take, we are here to help you make this choice easier. Oregon is a beautiful state with a reduced cost of living than California, a better quality of life, a peaceful and slow pace of life, and a smaller population.
Is it worth moving to Oregon from California?
Yes, it is worth moving to Oregon from California if you want to live a slow-paced life with a reduced cost of living, and want to enjoy the booming job market and the high quality of living that this state has to offer.
is Oregon Safer than California?
Yes, Oregon is a better choice when a safety comparison is done of Oregon vs California. According to the Uniform crime report published by the FBI in 2019, Oregon’s crime rate per capita was lower than that of California.
While 10,95,445 crimes were reported in California in 2019, 127165 crimes were reported in Oregon.
Relocating to Oregon is a great idea for people looking for a more laid-back life and a lower cost of living and in this article, we answer the most popular questions about moving to Oregon including the pros and cons of moving, cost of living in both states and moving from California to Oregon checklist.
1. Cost of Living in Oregon vs California
The cost of living in Oregon is less than that of California due to several reasons such as lower housing costs, lower income tax rates, and low transportation costs. The low cost of living in Oregon makes it one of the most sought-after states to live in the country currently.
Is it cheaper to live in Oregon or California?
The Cost-of-living Index Report of 2023 says that California has the third highest cost of living in the country.
It has an average cost of living of $53082 per year according to the Bureau of EconAnalysislysis. Oregon’s cost of living is much cheaper than California’s $47779 annually.
How much does it cost to live in Oregon per month?
For a single person, it costs around $4000 to live in Oregon per month considering all the expenses and utility bills.
What is the average cost of living in Oregon?
As already mentioned above, the average cost of living in Oregon according to the Cost of living index report 2022 is $47779 annually
A detailed comparison of the cost of living in both states has been given below:
| Expenses | Average cost California | Average cost Oregon |
| Transportation | $5316 (one adult, no children) | $5316 (one adult, no children) |
| Grocery | $3865 (this doesn’t include eating out in restaurants) | $4104 (This doesn’t include eating out amount) |
| Housing | $718687 (average house value) | $474360 (average house value) |
| Gas and energy | $1039 | $1030 |
| Rent | $2405 (2-bedroom apartment) | $1253 (2-bedroom apartment) |
| Health care | $8501 | $7956 |
| Other personal expenditure | $29704 | $25765 |
Source- Zillow for Housing & Bureau of economic analysis
2. Is Oregon a good place to live?
Yes, moving to Oregon is a great idea if you are a fan of moderate weather, a laidback lifestyle, uncrowded beaches, rich cultural history, and green lush forests all around you.
It is also a better state to raise a family than California due to the lower cost of living, great public education system, family-friendly atmosphere with lots of parks and other recreational activities, and low crime rates.
3. Benefits of living in Oregon vs California
There are several benefits of living in Oregon to living in California. While the low cost of living is the most attractive reason, there are other factors as well which make Oregon a more desirable place to live which have been explained below
How Oregon is better than California?
Oregon is better than California as it provides its residents with the benefits of reduced cost of living, lower housing and transportation cost, more progressive values, a strong public education system, and a better family-friendly environment.
I) Transportation
Compared to California’s transportation system, Oregon’s transportation system is more accessible and gets less congested during rush hours.
Oregon has a robust public transportation system with 5 bus services operating in the state whereas the only intercity passenger available in the state is run by Amtrak which connects various major cities of Oregon. Cabs can also be hired through ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft.
II) Oregon State Tax
While Oregon does not impose any sales tax or transaction tax on its residents, it is not an income tax-free state and imposes state income tax ranging from 4.75-9.90% and property tax of 0.82%.
Oregon’s state income tax is higher than the national average, but it is still lower than California whose highest income tax rate is 13% whereas that of Oregon is 9.90%.
III) Education
The public, as well as the private system of Oregon, aims to provide high-quality education services to children. According to a study published by WalletHub, the state has the 7th best early education system in the whole nation.
Oregon also has several top colleges and universities such as the University of Oregon, Reed College, and Oregon state college that offer high-quality education to students.
IV) Weather and Diverse Climate
Oregon has a mild climate with long and warm summers and chilly winters with occasional snow. The average temperature during summer ranges from 72-80 degrees F, whereas the average temperature during winter ranges from 36-47 degrees F.
Summers are great in Oregon and it is the best time to visit portland and other cities of Oregon.
Is Winter harsh in Oregon?
No, Oregon experiences mild winters and temperatures rarely drop below freezing, however, some areas do experience snowfall sometimes. And while winters in Oregon can bring in cooler and wetter weather.
It is usually not considered to be particularly harsh when compared to many other parts of the country
V) Less Rushy than California
Oregon is a beautiful state which is less rushy and fast-paced than California and there are many reasons for it such as a well-developed public transportation system, fewer people living per square mile, and less concentration of jobs in certain areas which lead to rush hour traffic.
4. Cheapest Places to Live in Oregon
Oregon is a beautiful state and while places to visit in Oregon are plenty, some cities can be expensive to live in. However, some cities in Oregon are pretty inexpensive as well with low cost of living and affordable housing options.
Ontario is the cheapest and most affordable city in Oregon, whereas Dallas has the lowest cost of living in the state at $35303 per year.
Below we have mentioned some of the cheapest places to live in Oregon that you can call home without breaking the bank.
I) Ontario:
- Home Price to Income Ratio: 6.46
- Median Household Income: $42568
- Average Cost of Living: $39787
Ontario is the largest city in Malheur County and is a nice place to live because of its beautiful river canyons and scenic beauty.
The city is also a thriving commercial center and has a large industrial park and is a famous location for businesses trying to take advantage of a business-friendly atmosphere.
Ontario experiences warm summers and cold, chilly winters and it gets almost 3 months of snow every year from December to February
II) Hermiston:
- Home Price to Income Ratio: 5.27
- Median Household Income: $60971
- Average Cost of Living: $35774
Located in northeastern Oregon, Hermiston serves as a major hub for data center and logistic activities and has a population of 19455 according to the last census.
The city has a low cost of living at $35774 annually, but has its unique charm and provides its residents with a suburban feel, making it one of the best places to live in Oregon.
III) Pendleton:
- Home Price to Income Ratio: 4.67
- Median Household Income: $58093
- Average Cost of Living: $35770
Pendleton in Oregon is a beautiful mid-sized city that was crowned as the top western town by the true west magazine in the year 2011. It is a family-oriented town with progressive values and a great place to raise a family.
The cost of living in Pendleton is not only lower than Oregon’s cost of living but also lower than most other cities. Summers in Pendleton are warm and sunny but in winters the weather is gloomy and it remains cloudy throughout the season.
IV) Prineville:
- Home Price to Income Ratio: 6.28
- Median Household Income: $59000
- Average Cost of Living: $40752
Prineville in Oregon in Crook County is a small city with a population of just over 9500 residents. However, it is a good place to live as the housing market is affordable, the crime rate is lower than the national average, with a tight-knit community, and a good public education system in place.
V) Coos Bay:
- Home Price to Income Ratio: 6.48
- Median Household Income: $48223
- Average Cost of Living: $35414
Coos Bay in Oregon is located in Coos County and is known for its low cost of living, beautiful beaches, mild weather, and friendly locals.
Electricity, gas, and transportation are quite cheap here, however, buying as well as renting houses can be a bit expensive. It is quite nice to live in Coos Bay because of its beauty and affordable cost of living.
5. Cost of Moving to Oregon from California
If you are planning to move from California to Oregon, one of the most important things to consider is the cost of moving and the type of moving vehicle you require.
Moving costs can differ depending on various aspects such as the distance, the size of your household, and the services you need.
The average cost of moving from California to Oregon would be somewhere around $1000-$6000. You can either move stuff yourself by hiring a moving container or hiring a rental truck or employing a moving company to do the work for you.
It is not expensive to move to Oregon if you plan your move properly and hire a rental truck which is the most affordable option out there.
6. How Far is Oregon from California?
Oregon is around 786 km far from California
Can I live in Oregon and work in California?
As Oregon is situated quite far from California, it would not be ideal or feasible to live in Oregon and work in California. However, if your job allows remote working, this arrangement could be possible.
7. How Many People Live in Oregon?
Oregon is the 27th most populous state in the USA and its population according to the last census was 4359110 with a growth rate of 0.94%
Moving to Oregon from California FAQs
Why are so many Californians moving to Oregon?
There are a number of reasons why so many Californians choose to move to Oregon. Some of these reasons include reduced cost of living, slow pace of life, great weather, no levy of sales tax and affordable housing cost.
What are the cons of moving to Oregon?
Some of the cons of moving to Oregon are the high-income tax rate, increasing median house prices, gloomy weather, and poor education system as the state has the lowest graduation rate in the entire country
What is the coolest and warmest part of Oregon?
The coolest place in Oregon is Seneca in Grant County with an average mean temperature of 41.7-degree F whereas the warmest place in Oregon is Ontario with an average daily mean temperature of over 55 degrees F.
Conclusion
Moving to Oregon from California can seem to be a hassle, but many people are doing it due to several reasons such as reduced cost of living, a better quality of life, and great weather. So, if you are considering relocating to Oregon, don’t hesitate! Pack your bags and get ready to discover all Beaver State has to offer.