Moving to Oregon? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, is widely known for its diverse landscapes. Flanked by the Columbia River to the north and Snake River to the east, Oregon is full of natural beauty, with volcanoes, glacial mountain ranges and wooded forests.

If you are considering moving to Oregon, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Oregon Facts:

Population: 4.246 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $59,000 (2021)
Random Fact: Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States, and the seventh-deepest in the world. The lake was formed as a result of the collapse of the Mount Mazama volcano.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Oregon

From State	Approx. Moving Cost ($)
California	2500
Texas	3000
New York	3500
Florida	3200
Illinois	2800
Pennsylvania	3300

This table includes the state of origin and an estimated moving cost in US dollars. These costs are approximate and can vary based on specific circumstances, such as the volume of goods being moved, the exact locations within the states, and the time of the move.

2. Oregon Housing Costs

In Oregon, housing prices can vary significantly, with upscale areas such as Portland’s Pearl District having median home prices over $500,000, while less expensive areas in the city, like Lents, can have median prices closer to $300,000. For rentals, a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Portland may cost around $1,400 per month, while in more suburban or rural areas like Salem or Eugene, similar apartments might be available for under $1,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in Oregon:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1530+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,330+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $3,000+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,900+

Oregon Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $2,900+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $2,300+

Oregon Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Oregon compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 37.1% more expensive
New York is 56.3% more expensive
Los Angeles is 38.7% more expensive
Toronto is 11.5% more expensive
Sydney is 26.3% more expensive
Paris is 5.9% cheaper
Dubai is 12.3% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates.
Different Areas – Different Prices: In Oregon, housing costs widely fluctuate. For instance, areas such as Lake Oswego and West Linn see higher-end real estate with median home prices exceeding $500,000, whereas, in towns like Grants Pass or Medford, you can find homes with median prices of around $300,000. As for rentals, in Portland’s trendy Northwest District, a one-bedroom apartment might cost about $1,400 monthly, but in smaller towns like Albany or Corvallis, a comparable apartment can be rented for under $1,000.

3. Oregon Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Oregon is well-known for its artisanal and farm-to-table dining culture, with an emphasis on local and seasonal produce. It’s particularly famous for its seafood, especially salmon and Dungeness crab, as well as its craft beers and world-renowned Willamette Valley wines.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $14.00
Takeout Coffee: $3.70
Bottle of Coke: $2.30
1L of Milk: $0.90
Loaf of Bread: $2.75
12 Eggs: $4.50
1kg Chicken: $9.90
1kg Beef: $12.30
1kg Apples: $4.40
1kg White Rice: $4.20

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 37.4% more expensive and groceries are 14.5% cheaper than Oregon.
New York restaurants are 40.2% more expensive and groceries are 31.8% more expensive than Oregon.
Los Angeles restaurants are 37.5% more expensive and groceries are 14.7% more expensive than Oregon.
Toronto restaurants are 19.6% more expensive and groceries are 1% more expensive than Oregon.
Sydney restaurants are 23.2% more expensive and groceries are 11.7% more expensive than Oregon.
Paris restaurants are 15.9% more expensive and groceries are 10.3% more expensive than Oregon.
Dubai restaurants are 14.4% more expensive and groceries are 38.2% cheaper than Oregon.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are a staple of many Oregon communities, with Portland boasting one of the largest with over 200 vendors, offering a wide array of local produce and artisanal foods. For supermarkets, prices can vary, with more affordable options like WinCo Foods and Walmart, mid-range stores like Fred Meyer, and more upscale establishments like New Seasons Market and Whole Foods.
Find Cheap Eats: Oregon has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Eater.

4. Oregon Alcohol Costs

Oregon, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.70
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $2.15
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.99

How To Drink For Less in Oregon:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Eater.

5. Oregon Transportation Fares

Public transportation in Oregon is quite comprehensive, especially in the Portland area, where the TriMet system offers buses, light rail, and streetcar services, making it a model for sustainable transport. Other areas of the state, like Salem and Eugene, have reliable bus services, though rural areas can be more limited in terms of public transportation options.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.60
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $45.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Oregon

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Oregon experiences a diverse climate, with the coast being milder and the interior seeing more extreme temperatures. The average yearly temperature ranges from 4°C to 17°C; December is typically the coldest month, July is the hottest, and November is generally the wettest.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $47.00
Summer Dress: $46.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $80.00
Business Shoes: $90.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $3.50
Shampoo: $4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym Membership: $40.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.25

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Oregon

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Oregon. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Oregon from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Oregon:

Volkswagen Golf: $25,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.10

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Oregon:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Oregon

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

Oregon is one of the few states in the U.S. that does not have a sales tax. Consequently, consumers can purchase goods and services in Oregon without any additional tax added to the sales price.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Oregon at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Oregon you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Oregon

If you do make the move to Oregon, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $560
New York: $180
Los Angeles: $80
Toronto: $150
Vancouver: $120
Dubai: $775
Sydney: $500
Melbourne: $1,300
Cape Town: $1,200
Hong Kong: $700

Other Tips on Moving to Oregon:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Oregon but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Oregon Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Oregon.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Oregon always has something going on. Have a look at Travel Oregon.

12. Moving to Oregon with a Family

Oregon is generally considered a family-friendly state, with many outdoor recreational opportunities and good educational institutions. However, like any place, the crime rate varies depending on the area; while some parts of Oregon have low crime rates, others, particularly some urban areas, may have higher rates.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Oregon.gov.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: The city of West Linn in Oregon is often hailed as one of the most family-friendly places to live. It boasts low crime rates, high-performing schools, plenty of parks and outdoor activities, as well as a strong sense of community.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Oregon. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Oregon for Work

While it is possible to move to Oregon without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Oregon include advanced manufacturing, clean technology, outdoor gear and apparel, forestry and wood products, and food and beverage.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Oregon, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Oregon.gov and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Oregon from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Oregon, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: A combination of Victoria and Tasmania will give a rough size match to Oregon.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Oregon that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Oregon from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Oregon. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Alberta is close in size to Oregon.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Oregon from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Oregon. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: The entirety of the United Kingdom is similar in size to Oregon.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Oregon, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Oregon you can start by comparing moving quotes here.