Kentucky to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 2,241 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Marionberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs northwest, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Bourbon BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry Pie & Dungeness Crab
- Oregon housing costs are 147% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Oregon is 34.86% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
Kentucky to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Oregon
- High humidity
- Limited public transit
- Fewer career opportunities
- Severe storms
- Cultural isolation
- Milder climate
- Extensive transit options
- Growing tech industry
- More stable weather
- Diverse cultural scene
- Higher living expenses
- More modern cities
- More transient population
- Traffic congestion
- Fast-paced urban life
- Low cost of living
- Rich history
- Strong community ties
- Less traffic
- Charming small towns
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Oregon
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Oregon with extensive transit options
- Swap the fewer career opportunities of Kentucky for a growing tech industry in Oregon
- Get ready for more stable weather in Oregon
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kentucky to live with higher living expenses in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich history and have to settle for the con of more modern cities
- Time to bid farewell to strong community ties and get used to a more transient population in Oregon
- Swap less traffic for traffic congestion
Kentucky vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Marionberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Bourbon BBQ Ribs | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Food Trucks (Various) |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian Hot Brown | Tempeh Reuben |
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 Kentucky to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Bourbon BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Trucks (Various) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Hot Brown they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mama Louisa's, and Bluegrass Hospitality Group. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Voodoo Doughnut, and Le Pigeon.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Oregon
Comparison | Kentucky | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Northwest, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Big yards, privacy | Eco-friendly materials, access to nature |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Northwest and Craftsman architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference big yards and privacy, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly materials and access to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oregon is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oregon is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Oregon housing costs are 147% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Oregon is 34.86% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Oregon
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Storms, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 81Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 23Β°F | 48Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 36" (Western Oregon) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10" | 8" (Western Oregon) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Oregon. Oregon gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and tornadoes in Kentucky, 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 6 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oregon. Oregon receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Oregon
Comparison | Kentucky | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.07% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Technology, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Pressing | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Manageable | Considerable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 27% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Oregon will be 26% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in OR is 9.9% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Oregon is moderate compared to modest in Kentucky
- The poverty level is noticeable in Oregon compared to pressing in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Kentucky and considerable in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Oregon
Comparison | Kentucky | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, tends Republican | Liberal, leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Strongly influenced by coal and agriculture industries | High emphasis on environmental and urban policies |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Baptist presence. <a href="https://www.kybaptist.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky Baptist Convention</a> | Less religiously affiliated overall, diverse religious communities including Buddhism and Judaism. Oregon Buddhist Temple, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation |
- Kentucky tends to lean conservative and tends Republican in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as liberal and leans Democratic
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated overall with diverse religious communities including Buddhism and Judaism and the Oregon Buddhist Temple and Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant Baptist presence and the Kentucky Baptist Convention
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Oregon
Comparison | Kentucky | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary School - Pikeville Anchorage Public School - Anchorage Rosa Parks Elementary - Lexington | Ainsworth Elementary - Portland Findley Elementary - Beaverton Jacob Wismer Elementary - Beaverton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrett Traditional Middle School - Louisville Beaumont Middle School - Lexington Bowling Green Junior High - Bowling Green | Stoller Middle School - Portland Lake Oswego Junior High - Lake Oswego Conestoga Middle School - Beaverton |
Top 3 High School Schools | DuPont Manual High - Louisville Glasgow High School - Glasgow Beechwood High School - Fort Mitchell | International School of Beaverton - Beaverton School of Science & Technology - Beaverton Corbett School - Corbett |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lexington School - Lexington Louisville Collegiate School - Louisville St. Xavier High School - Louisville | Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland Jesuit High School - Portland |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School - Lexington Louisville Collegiate School - Louisville Sayre School - Lexington | Riverdale Grade School - Portland Valley Catholic School - Beaverton Delphian School - Sheridan |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Bowling Green Independent School District | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District Beaverton School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,241 miles from Kentucky to Oregon will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,473 | 300 ft3 | $8.24 |
1 Bedroom | $3,687 | 450 ft3 | $8.19 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,107 | 750 ft3 | $8.14 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,903 | 1100 ft3 | $8.09 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,869 | 1600 ft3 | $8.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,388 | 1800 ft3 | $7.99 |
Top Kentucky to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Oregon