Oregon to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,186 mile interstate move from Oregon to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunny climate), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs spanish colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Portland Pork Belly, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in Arizona is 8.39% more expensive than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Oregon to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Oregon to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to Arizona
- Rainy weather
- Higher taxes
- High housing costs
- Dense urban areas
- Sunny climate
- Lower taxes
- More affordable housing
- More open space
- Desert scenery
- Landlocked state
- Less cultural variety
- Hotter summers
- Lush green landscapes
- Coastal access
- Vibrant arts scene
- Mild summers
Pros of moving from Oregon to Arizona
- Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to sunny climate
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Arizona with lower taxes
- Swap the high housing costs of Oregon for more affordable housing in Arizona
- Get ready for more open space in Arizona
Cons of moving from Oregon to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lush green landscapes in Oregon to live with desert scenery in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of coastal access and have to settle with the con of a landlocked state
- Time to bid farewell to the vibrant arts scene and get used to less cultural variety in Arizona
- Swap mild summers for hotter summers
Oregon vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Dungeness Crab | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Portland Pork Belly | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Voodoo Doughnut | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Jackfruit Tacos |
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 Oregon to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Oregon for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Portland Pork Belly and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnut, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oregon eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Screen Door. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durant's.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and Arizona
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Spanish Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly features, Outdoor spaces | Swimming pools, Air conditioning |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and outdoor spaces, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and air conditioning.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Arizona is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
- Arizona housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in Arizona is 8.39% more expensive than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and Arizona
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Floods | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Varies; often Moderate due to dust |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 51Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 33Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 8 | 0-36 (varies greatly by region) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to Arizona. Arizona gets 99% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 23 degrees warmer than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and Arizona
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% - 9.9% | 2.59% - 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.90% | 0.62% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5.6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tech, Timber, Agriculture | Healthcare, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 1% less than in Oregon
- The COLI in Arizona is 8% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.5% compared to 4.75% - 9.9% in OR
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to moderate in Oregon
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oregon and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. Arizona
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic-leaning | Moderately Conservative, Swing State tendencies |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers contrasted with conservative rural areas | Conservative rural and suburban areas, liberal urban sectors especially in Tucson and Phoenix |
Religion | Highly unaffiliated, diverse religious communities in urban areas. | Christian majority, significant Catholic and LDS communities, growing diversity in religious practice |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Conservative with Swing State tendencies
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with significant Catholic and LDS communities and growing diversity in religious practice
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly unaffiliated with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to Arizona
Comparison | Oregon | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Findley Elementary - Portland Jacob Wismer Elementary - Portland Bonny Slope Elementary - Portland | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence - Gilbert Benchmark School - Phoenix |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lake Oswego Junior High - Lake Oswego Cedar Park Middle School - Portland Stoller Middle School - Portland | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale Basis Tucson North - Tucson Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies - Mesa |
Top 3 High Schools | Westview High School - Portland International School of Beaverton - Beaverton South Eugene High School - Eugene | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale Basis Peoria - Peoria BASIS Oro Valley - Oro Valley |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland The Delphian School - Sheridan | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Delphian School - Sheridan Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District West Linn-Wilsonville School District Riverdale School District | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
How Much Do Oregon to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,186 miles from Oregon to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,875 | 300 ft3 | $6.25 |
1 Bedroom | $2,790 | 450 ft3 | $6.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,612 | 750 ft3 | $6.15 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,709 | 1100 ft3 | $6.10 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,679 | 1600 ft3 | $6.05 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,799 | 1800 ft3 | $6.00 |
Top Oregon to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Oregon to Arizona