Movers

Michigan to Oregon Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Cold winters
  • Limited mountain views
  • Fewer outdoor activities
  • Economic challenges
ProsOregon iconOregon
  • Milder winters
  • Scenic landscape
  • Diverse outdoor adventures
  • Thriving tech industry

Oregon iconOregon
  • Higher coastal living cost
  • Rainy climate
  • Peak traffic hours
  • High gas prices
Michigan iconMichigan
  • 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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
Most iconic local food itemPastiesMarionberry pie
Most popular meat dishConey DogDungeness Crab
Most popular street food itemDetroit-Style PizzaFood Carts' Burritos
Most popular vegan foodVegan pastiesTempeh Reuben
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Selden Standard
  • Cliff Bell's
  • Voodoo Doughnut
  • Le Pigeon
  • Pok Pok
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
Typical Architecture StyleTudor and RanchCraftsman and Modern
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLakeside view, garageEco-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 Michigan’s $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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, TornadoesEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)81Β°F / 59Β°F81Β°F / 51Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 17Β°F47Β°F / 33Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.843.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.6611.4
  • 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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
Avg. Household Income$66,986$75,657
Cost of Living Index91.2110.55
State Income Tax4.25%4.75% - 9.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.64%0.90%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%0.00%
Top 3 IndustriesAutomotive, Healthcare, AgricultureTechnology, Forestry, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerate-HighModerate
HomelessnessLow-ModerateModerate-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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
Political Make-upPurple, swings between Democratic and RepublicanLiberal, with strong Democratic leanings in urban areas
Local PoliticsFocus on manufacturing, labor unionsEmphasizes environmental policies, progressive issues
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious representationOne 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

ComparisonMichiganOregon
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 SchoolsHarlan Elementary (Birmingham)
Woods Elementary (Muskegon)
Okemos Public Montessori Central (Okemos)
Ainsworth Elementary (Portland)
Findley Elementary (Beaverton)
Elmonica Elementary (Beaverton)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsStevenson 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 SchoolsInternational 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 schoolsRoeper 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 schoolsDetroit 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 DistrictsOkemos 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 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,464300 ft3$8.21
1 Bedroom$3,674450 ft3$8.16
2 Bedrooms$6,086750 ft3$8.11
3 Bedrooms$8,8711100 ft3$8.06
4 Bedrooms$12,8241600 ft3$8.01
5+ Bedrooms$14,3371800 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.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Oregon

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pacific Northwest Moving featured image

Pacific Northwest Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Elite Relocation Services featured image

Elite Relocation Services

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details