Michigan to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 2,226 mile interstate move from Michigan to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pasties vs Marionberry pie), real estate & housing (tudor and ranch vs craftsman and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry pie & Dungeness Crab
- Oregon housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Oregon is 21.72% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Oregon movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Oregon
- Cold winters
- Limited mountain views
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Economic challenges
- Milder winters
- Scenic landscape
- Diverse outdoor adventures
- Thriving tech industry
- Higher coastal living cost
- Rainy climate
- Peak traffic hours
- High gas prices
- Lakeside beaches
- Distinct seasons
- Lower traffic density
- Agricultural bounty
Pros of moving from Michigan to Oregon
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited mountain views and moving to Oregon with a scenic landscape
- Swap the fewer outdoor activities of Michigan for diverse outdoor adventures in Oregon
- Get ready for a thriving tech industry in Oregon
Cons of moving from Michigan to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lakeside beaches in Michigan to live with a higher coastal living cost in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of a rainy climate
- Time to bid farewell to lower traffic density and get used to peak traffic hours in Oregon
- Swap agricultural bounty for high gas prices
Michigan vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Marionberry pie |
Most popular meat dish | Coney Dog | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular street food item | Detroit-Style Pizza | Food Carts' Burritos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan pasties | 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 Michigan to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Marionberry pie of Oregon. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Coney Dog and sumptuous Detroit-Style Pizza, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Carts' Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan pasties 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 Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Selden Standard, and Cliff Bell's. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Voodoo Doughnut, Le Pigeon, and Pok Pok.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Oregon
Comparison | Michigan | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Tudor and Ranch | Craftsman and Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside view, garage | Eco-friendly features, outdoor living space |
- The Tudor and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Modern architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and garages, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Oregon housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Oregon is 21.72% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Oregon
Comparison | Michigan | 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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 59Β°F | 81Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 47Β°F / 33Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 43.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 11.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Michigan to Oregon. Oregon gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Michigan.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon.
- The average summer high temperature in Oregon is the same as Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 10.9 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Oregon
Comparison | Michigan | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 4.75% - 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.64% | 0.90% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 0.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Healthcare, Agriculture | Technology, Forestry, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate-High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low-Moderate | Moderate-High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 13% more than those in Michigan
- The COLI in Oregon will be 21% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in OR is 4.75% - 9.9% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Oregon is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in Oregon compared to moderate-high in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is low-moderate in Michigan and moderate-high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Oregon
Comparison | Michigan | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple, swings between Democratic and Republican | Liberal, with strong Democratic leanings in urban areas |
Local Politics | Focus on manufacturing, labor unions | Emphasizes environmental policies, progressive issues |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious representation | One of the most unchurched states, diverse spirituality |
- Michigan tends to lean purple, swinging between Democratic and Republican in its political climate.
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal with strong Democratic leanings in urban areas.
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as one of the most unchurched states with diverse spirituality.
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious representation.
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Oregon
Comparison | Michigan | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | Oregon State University University of Oregon Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Harlan Elementary (Birmingham) Woods Elementary (Muskegon) Okemos Public Montessori Central (Okemos) | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Findley Elementary (Beaverton) Elmonica Elementary (Beaverton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stevenson Middle (Westland) Boulan Park Middle (Troy) Okemos Chippewa Middle (Okemos) | Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Conestoga Middle School (Beaverton) Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton) |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) City High Middle (Grand Rapids) Troy High (Troy) | Corvallis High (Corvallis) South Eugene High (Eugene) Lake Oswego High (Lake Oswego) |
Top 3 private high schools | Roeper School (Birmingham) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Roeper School (Birmingham) | Delphian School (Sherwood) Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) |
Top 3 School Districts | Okemos Public Schools Birmingham Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District (Portland) Beaverton School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,226 miles from Michigan 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,464 | 300 ft3 | $8.21 |
1 Bedroom | $3,674 | 450 ft3 | $8.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,086 | 750 ft3 | $8.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,871 | 1100 ft3 | $8.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,824 | 1600 ft3 | $8.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,337 | 1800 ft3 | $7.96 |
Top Michigan to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.