North Carolina to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 2,688 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs mild, dry climate), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Dungeness crab), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern NC BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Dungeness crab & Grilled salmon
- Oregon housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Oregon is 1.93% more expensive than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $10,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Oregon movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Oregon
- High humidity
- Hurricane threats
- Limited public transit
- Rural healthcare access
- Mild, dry climate
- Earthquake resilience
- Extensive public transit
- Renowned urban hospitals
- Reserved community
- Higher living costs
- Higher rainfall
- Fewer historical sites
- Southern hospitality
- Low cost of living
- Diverse landscapes
- Rich history
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Oregon
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a mild, dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane threats and moving to Oregon with earthquake resilience
- Swap the limited public transit of North Carolina for extensive public transit in Oregon
- Get ready for renowned urban hospitals in Oregon
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in North Carolina to live with a reserved community in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living costs
- Time to bid farewell to diverse landscapes and get used to higher rainfall in Oregon
- Swap rich history for fewer historical sites
North Carolina vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled pork BBQ | Dungeness crab |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC BBQ | Grilled salmon |
Most popular street food item | Pimento cheese sandwich | Voodoo Doughnut |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | 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 North Carolina to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Oregon. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC BBQ and sumptuous Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Oregon residents know they have tasty Grilled Salmon and Voodoo Doughnut to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Sweet Potatoes, and The Pit. 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 Screen Door.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | North Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, hardwood floors | Eco-friendly features, outdoor spaces |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and hardwood floors, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and outdoor spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Oregon housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Oregon is 1.93% more expensive than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | North Carolina | 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, Flooding | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 81Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 47Β°F / 33Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Oregon. Oregon gets 32% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in North Carolina, 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 7 degrees colder than North Carolina.
- The average winter lows in Oregon are 3 degrees warmer than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oregon. Oregon receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | North Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 8.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84% | 0.98% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Aerospace, Biotechnology | Technology, Agriculture, Forestry |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 12% more than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Oregon will be 15% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in OR is 8.75% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Oregon is high compared to moderate in North Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Oregon compared to moderate in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Oregon
Comparison | North Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans slightly Republican | Leans Democratic, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Varies; urban vs. rural divide | Eco-conscious and progressive policies prevalent |
Religion | Higher emphasis on religious affiliation | Less religiously affiliated population |
- North Carolina tends to lean mixed and slightly Republican in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic, especially in urban areas
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as having a less religiously affiliated population
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a higher emphasis on religious affiliation
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Oregon
Comparison | North Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte Quest Academy - Raleigh Sterling Montessori Academy β Morrisville | Arleta School - Portland Findley Elementary - Beaverton Jacob Wismer Elementary - Portland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jayne Ellenburg Center - Durham Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh Piedmont IB Middle - Charlotte | Stoller Middle School - Portland Lake Oswego Junior High - Lake Oswego Cedar Park Middle School - Portland |
Top 3 High Schools | Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham Woods Charter - Chapel Hill | Lincoln High School - Portland Corvallis High School - Corvallis South Eugene High School - Eugene |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy - Andover Deerfield Academy - Deerfield Choate Rosemary Hall - Wallingford | Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland St. Mary's Academy - Portland |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy - Cary Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte Durham Academy - Durham | Oregon Episcopal School - Portland Delphian School - Sheridan Catlin Gabel School - Portland |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District Corvallis School District |
How Much Do North Carolina to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,688 miles from North Carolina to Oregon will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,726 | 300 ft3 | $9.09 |
1 Bedroom | $4,067 | 450 ft3 | $9.04 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,741 | 750 ft3 | $8.99 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,832 | 1100 ft3 | $8.94 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,221 | 1600 ft3 | $8.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,908 | 1800 ft3 | $8.84 |
Top North Carolina to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Oregon