Moving to Oregon: Complete Moving Guide 2024

Oregon is more than just Portland and retail theft. There’s a lot to love about the Beaver State, and the landscape is about as varied as the locals. The only downsides? More and more Californians are moving in, are skyrocketing prices to match.

But, if you’re still searching for that fresh start, Oregon may be your ticket. You’ll get beautiful nature, four mild seasons, a surprising amount of job opportunities, and prices that still aren’t “LA high”. And if you end up in Portland (like we know you’ve thought about), you’ll have access to microbrews, barcades, and everything else the cool kids are into.

It’s not just California’s hat. Oregon has its own flavor, its own culture, and its own quirks. If you’re ready to pack your bags, iMoving can get you started right away. And if you’re just trying to learn more, well, we can help with that too. Read on to get up to speed.

There’s plenty of reason to head to Oregon, and it’d take us a lot more megabytes to write up a whole list. But when your folks ask why you’re heading there, here are a few solid excuses:

• Plenty of nature: Oregon is well-known for its great outdoors. And with a mild climate, you’ll actually get to enjoy those great outdoors throughout most of the year. Hiking, fishing, hunting, camping - the whole state’s great for whatever gets you out there.

• Cheaper than the neighbors: Here’s a surprise for you: Oregon is actually cheaper than both California AND Washington. (Sure, Oregon is technically more expensive than Idaho, but who wants to live there??)

• Lots of industry and work: If you’re looking for work, Oregon’s got you covered. Not only is there education and healthcare, there’s also tech, manufacturing, and everything else. It’s a huge state, with huge opportunities. 

• Still has some city life: Of course, Oregon isn’t all just rural wilderness. Portland is a thriving city. Salem and Eugene - while small - still have populations in the 100,000s.

• It’s on the coast: You may be planning to live more inland, but having an ocean view (or even better, beach access) is a pretty major pro. Oregon is on the coast, so take advantage of it.

• Blue state: Depending on your politics, this could be a good or a bad thing. Oregon is deep blue, for better or for worse.

• Lots to do: You also won’t be bored when you move to Oregon. There’s enough city life to keep you entertained, and there’s enough outdoor variety to keep things interesting all year round.

Your move to Oregon will cost you between $2,000 and $6,000. We’ve seen some moves that were a little cheaper or more expensive, but that window covers all the bases.

Your final price depends on how much stuff you’re moving, how many miles you’re traveling, and the type of moving service you need:

Every move has its pros and cons, and Oregon is no exception. If you’re looking to make the move, it’s important to curb your enthusiasm a little and take a look at the cons, too:

• Median home price: $502,000
• Average rent: $1,845
• Utilities: About $383 per month
• Gas: About $3.78 per gallon
• Groceries: About $327 per month

If you’re looking to settle down and buy a house, Zillow reports the median Oregon home price as $502,000. If you just want to rent, expect to pay around $1,845 per month. Granted, this is the entire state we’re talking about: Portland is going to be much more expensive.

Aside from where you’ll be living, your monthly expenses are just about average compared to the rest of the United States. Utilities are a bit on the steep side ($383 per month or so), but gas and groceries aren’t too shabby.

You’re looking at $3.78 per gallon, and around $327 per month, respectively. If you’re smart with your shopping (and you aren’t living someplace super urban), it’s a pretty workable state.

Oregon is a pretty big state, and there are plenty of places to call your new hometown. Here are just a few recommendations:

• Portland: This is Oregon’s most famous city. It’s well known for its arts and culture scene, and like any major city on the West Coast, it’s also well known for aggressively progressive public policy, and aggressively aggressive homeless people and weirdos.

• Eugene: This is the second biggest city in Oregon, and it’s also home to the University of Oregon. There’s plenty of nearby wilderness to explore, and since it’s a college town, there’s plenty you can do without leaving the city.

• Beaverton: Beaverton is close to Portland, but far enough away where you can get some peace and quiet. There are lots of parks, nature, and wildlife, and if that’s not really your speed, you can always just head to Portland for a day trip.

• Hermiston: Most people think of Oregon as relatively mountainous, and right up against the coast. If you don’t want either of those (or you can’t AFFORD either of those), Eastern Oregon is your best bet. Hermiston is flat, cheap, and quiet. 

• Salem: Oregon’s state capitol has plenty going for it. There are plenty of parks, and seasonal attractions, too. Check out the Enchanted Forest if you get the chance!

Oregon has a pretty varied landscape, and it has a pretty varied professional landscape, too. If you can’t find the professional outlet you’re looking for in Portland, odds are it doesn’t exist anywhere else. But across the whole state, you’ll find plenty of work in a ton of different fields.

Rural Oregon has a lot of agriculture and timber. This isn’t just farming and chopping down trees, though. There’s a surprising amount of wineries and vineyards throughout the state, and it Oregon ranks just behind California, New York, and Washington in terms of wine production.

If you choose to live in the big city, you’ll find plenty of work in tech, manufacturing, medical, and more. A lot of medical and electronics manufacturers are HQ’d in Portland. There’s also a decent fintech scene if you’re chasing after big bucks. 

No matter what you’re looking for, Oregon offers a pretty impressive spread. And when you’re not working, there’s plenty you can do to keep yourself entertained…

You won’t be bored once you get out to Oregon. There’s a lot to keep you occupied once you’re out there, and there’s a little something for everyone:

• Craft beers in Portland: “DUDE i just LOVE the hustle and bustle of the big city, it’s so DYNAMIC and makes me feel like i’m in one of my favorite TV SHOWS.” But in all seriousness, Portland does have a pretty strong brewery scene. Bottoms up! 

• Wilderness: Oregon has a ton of wilderness and nature to explore. There’s mountains, trails, forests, all that good stuff. Just make sure you take a buddy with you so you don’t end up on Missing 411 or something. 

• Wine country: We mentioned this earlier, but Oregon has a pretty solid wine scene. You can tour some vineyards, do some tasting, and act like you know what you’re talking about. Or, you can just get tanked with your friends. We know what we’ll be doing.

• Beaches: Note: This is not your “lined with palm trees, plenty of surfing, warm weather” beach scene like in Southern California. This is more the “rugged coastline, gray weather, perfect for brooding” beach scene like you’d get in Maine or something.

• Museums, arts, and culture: Portland, Salem, Eugene… if it’s a town in Oregon, it’s got plenty of arts and culture for you. Check out a museum or gallery, or take a tour of a historic monument.

Oregon has 197 school districts and over 1,200 public K-12 schools. Those are pretty good odds for education. Riverdale High School (yes, like the show) is a good option in Portland, as is Mountainside High School. South Eugene High School is a good option in Eugene, and if you’re out east, Hermiston High School is a good option.

If you’re looking for higher education, Oregon also has a solid variety. The biggest and most famous is the University of Oregon in Eugene (Go Ducks!).

There’s also Oregon State University (public) and Portland State University (also public!). If you’re made of money, you can also check out Reed College (private) and George Fox University (also private).

Oregon is one of those places that has it all. You can find nature, city life, arts, culture, and everything else in one state. And with the right planning and prep, you can find your new home there, too. But how do you get out there in the first place?

If you’re ready to move to Oregon, iMoving can help. With over 1000 vetted and verified cross-country movers, we make it easier than ever to shop around, compare prices, and book Oregon movers from the comfort of your web browser.

Ready to hit the road? We’re right there with you. Tell us more about your move, and book your Oregon movers with iMoving.