Oregon to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 2,643 mile interstate move from Oregon to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs milder winters), food & health (like Marionberry pie vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (craftsman vs victorian & federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Marionberry pie and Dungeness crab, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Mumbo sauce wings
- DC housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in DC is 35.91% more expensive than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to DC will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Oregon to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Oregon to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to DC
- Rainy weather
- Limited public transit
- Less cultural diversity
- Remote from major cities
- Milder winters
- Extensive metro system
- Rich cultural scene
- Proximity to New York City
- Traffic congestion
- Higher cost of living
- Fast-paced environment
- Competitive atmosphere
- Beautiful nature
- Lower cost of living
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Oregon to DC
- Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
- Swap the less cultural diversity of Oregon for a rich cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for proximity to New York City in DC
Cons of moving from Oregon to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful nature in Oregon to live with traffic congestion in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to a laid-back lifestyle and get used to a fast-paced environment in DC
- Swap friendly communities for a competitive atmosphere
Oregon vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Marionberry pie | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Dungeness crab | Mumbo sauce wings |
Most popular street food item | Voodoo Doughnut | Cheese steak sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh bowls | Chickpea salad |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Marionberry pie of Oregon for the equally delicious Half-smoke of DC. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Dungeness crab and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnut, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo sauce wings and Cheese steak sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea salad of DC. 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 DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and DC
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Victorian & Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural surroundings, Proximity to nature | Historic landmarks, Proximity to government buildings |
- The Craftsman architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference natural surroundings and proximity to nature, DC real estate listings often highlight features like historic landmarks and proximity to government buildings.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Oregon.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Oregon.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Oregon.
- DC housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in DC is 35.91% more expensive than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and DC
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 55Β°F | 87Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 35Β°F | 44Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 15.5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to DC. DC gets 41% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 7 degrees warmer than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows in DC are 5 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and DC
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% - 9.9% | 4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Forestry, Agriculture | Government, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Variable | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Notable |
Homelessness | Pressing | Significant |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 34% more than in Oregon
- The COLI in DC will be 27% higher than what you are used to living in Oregon
- The state income tax in DC is 4% - 10.75% compared to 4.75% - 9.9% in OR
- The affluence in DC is high compared to the variable in Oregon
- The poverty level is notable in DC compared to moderate in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is pressing in Oregon and significant in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. DC
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal | Very Liberal |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural interests | Predominantly urban interests |
Religion | Mixed, with none significantly dominating | Higher proportion of non-religious individuals |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as very Liberal
- DC's religious environment can be described as having a higher proportion of non-religious individuals
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with none significantly dominating
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to DC
Comparison | Oregon | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Findley Elementary - Portland Jacob Wismer Elementary - Portland Oak Creek Elementary - Lake Oswego | Janney Elementary - Washington Mann Elementary - Washington Eaton Elementary - Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School - Portland Lake Oswego Junior High - Lake Oswego Cedar Park Middle School - Beaverton | Deal Middle School - Washington Hardy Middle School - Washington Alice Deal Middle School - Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | Lake Oswego High School - Lake Oswego Lincoln High School - Portland South Eugene High School - Eugene | School Without Walls High School - Washington Banneker High School - Washington Wilson High School - Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland The Delphian School - Sheridan | Georgetown Preparatory School - North Bethesda Sidwell Friends School - Washington St. Albans School - Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Delphian School - Sheridan Catlin Gabel School - Portland Oregon Episcopal School - Portland | Sidwell Friends School - Washington Georgetown Day School - Washington Maret School - Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District Corvallis School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Oregon to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 2,643 miles from Oregon to DC will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,701 | 300 ft3 | $9.00 |
1 Bedroom | $4,029 | 450 ft3 | $8.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,677 | 750 ft3 | $8.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,738 | 1100 ft3 | $8.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,085 | 1600 ft3 | $8.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,755 | 1800 ft3 | $8.75 |
Top Oregon to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.