DC to Oregon Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 11, 2025
Planning a 2,643 mile interstate move from DC to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing prices), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Dungeness Crab), real estate & housing (victorian and federal vs craftsman and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Dungeness Crab & Elk Burger
- Oregon housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Oregon is 26.42% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended DC to Oregon movers is Bookstore Movers

Top DC to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Bookstore Movers
Best moving company overall for DC to Oregon

Mic's Moving

Pacific Northwest Moving
DC to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Oregon
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- High humidity
- Affordable housing prices
- Countryside tranquility
- Moderate climate
- Less diverse population
- Limited transport options
- Narrower job market
- Cultural diversity
- Public transport
- Job opportunities
Pros of moving from DC to Oregon
- Say goodbye to high cost of living and hello to affordable housing prices
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Oregon with countryside tranquility
- Swap the high humidity of DC for a moderate climate in Oregon
Cons of moving from DC to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with a less diverse population in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transport and have to settle for the con of limited transport options
- Time to bid farewell to job opportunities and get used to a narrower job market in Oregon
DC vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-Smoke | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo Sauce Wings | Elk Burger |
Most popular street food item | Jumbo Slice Pizza | Food Cart Pod Donuts |
Most popular vegan food | Chickpea Salad Sandwich | Mushroom Gravy Poutine |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from DC to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Oregon. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Jumbo Slice Pizza, Oregon residents know they have tasty Elk Burger and Food Cart Pod Donuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chickpea Salad Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Gravy Poutine of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Salt & Straw.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Oregon
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian and Federal | Craftsman and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to metro, Historic charm | Natural scenery, Eco-friendly features |
- The Victorian and Federal architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like natural scenery and eco-friendly attributes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oregon is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oregon is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Oregon has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Oregon housing costs are 20% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Oregon is 26.42% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Oregon
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Heatwaves | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/71 | 81/51 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47/29 | 47/33 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40.8 | 43.4 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.4 | 33.0 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Oregon. Oregon gets 29% fewer sunshine days than DC.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and heatwaves in DC, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 8 degrees colder than in DC.
- The average winter lows in Oregon are 4 degrees warmer than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 2.6 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Oregon
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 8.5% | 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 0.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Tourism | Technology, Agriculture, Forestry |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 25% less than in DC
- The COLI in Oregon will be 21% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in OR is 9.9% compared to 8.5% in DC
- The affluence in Oregon is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is moderate in Oregon compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in DC and concerning in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Oregon
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Democratic lean, with rural areas more Republican |
Local Politics | Focused on federal governance and urban policies | Environmental and sustainability issues are prominent |
Religion | Diverse, with Christian and non-Christian faiths | Less religious overall; strong presence of non-affiliated individuals |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as a Democratic lean with rural areas being more Republican
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religious overall with a strong presence of non-affiliated individuals
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with Christian and non-Christian faiths
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Oregon
Comparison | DC | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | George Washington University Georgetown University University of Maryland | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Janney Elementary School Washington; Capitol Hill Montessori School Washington; Lafayette Elementary School Washington | Jacob Wismer Elementary School Portland; Corbett Elementary School Corbett; Charlemagne at Fox Hollow Elementary School Eugene |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Hardy Middle School Washington; Alice Deal Middle School Washington; BASIS DC PCS Middle School Washington | Jesuit Middle School Beaverton; Lake Oswego Junior High School Lake Oswego; Timberline Middle School Beaverton |
Top 3 High School Schools | Washington Latin Public Charter School Washington; School Without Walls High School Washington; Wilson High School Washington | Lake Oswego High School Lake Oswego; South Eugene High School Eugene; West Linn High School West Linn |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Albans School Washington; Georgetown Prep High School Washington; Maret School Washington | Catlin Gabel School Portland; Oregon Episcopal School Portland; Jesuit High School Beaverton |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School Washington; National Cathedral School Washington; St. Anselm's Abbey School Washington | Oregon Episcopal School Portland; Riverdale Grade School Portland; Catlin Gabel School Portland |
Top 3 School Districts | DC Public Schools DC; Friendship Public Charter School DC; KIPP DC Public Charter School DC | Lake Oswego School District Lake Oswego; Beaverton School District Beaverton; Portland Public Schools Portland |
How Much Do DC to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,643 miles from DC to Oregon will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,701 | 300 ft3 | $9.00 |
1 Bedroom | $4,029 | 450 ft3 | $8.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,677 | 750 ft3 | $8.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,738 | 1100 ft3 | $8.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,085 | 1600 ft3 | $8.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,755 | 1800 ft3 | $8.75 |