Movers

Oregon to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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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

ConsOregon iconOregon
  • Rainy weather
  • Limited public transit
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Remote from major cities
ProsDC iconDC
  • Milder winters
  • Extensive metro system
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Proximity to New York City

DC iconDC
  • Traffic congestion
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fast-paced environment
  • Competitive atmosphere
Oregon iconOregon
  • 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

ComparisonOregonDC
Most iconic local food itemMarionberry pieHalf-smoke
Most popular meat dishDungeness crabMumbo sauce wings
Most popular street food itemVoodoo DoughnutCheese steak sandwich
Most popular vegan foodTempeh bowlsChickpea salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pok Pok
  • Le Pigeon
  • Screen Door
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Zaytinya
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 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

ComparisonOregonDC
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanVictorian & Federal
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 listingNatural surroundings, Proximity to natureHistoric 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 Oregon’s $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

ComparisonOregonDC
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 DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 55Β°F87Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 35Β°F44Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4340
Annual Snowfall (Inches)415.5
  • 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

ComparisonOregonDC
Avg. Household Income$75,657$101,027
Cost of Living Index110.55140.1
State Income Tax4.75% - 9.9%4% - 10.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.06%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax0%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Forestry, AgricultureGovernment, Education, Tourism
AffluenceVariableHigh
PovertyModerateNotable
HomelessnessPressingSignificant
  • 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

ComparisonOregonDC
Political Make-upLiberalVery Liberal
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural interestsPredominantly urban interests
ReligionMixed, with none significantly dominatingHigher 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

ComparisonOregonDC
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 SchoolsFindley Elementary - Portland
Jacob Wismer Elementary - Portland
Oak Creek Elementary - Lake Oswego
Janney Elementary - Washington
Mann Elementary - Washington
Eaton Elementary - Washington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsStoller 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 SchoolsLake 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 schoolsCatlin 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 schoolsDelphian School - Sheridan
Catlin Gabel School - Portland
Oregon Episcopal School - Portland
Sidwell Friends School - Washington
Georgetown Day School - Washington
Maret School - Washington
Top 3 School DistrictsLake 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 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Portland Movers Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,701300 ft3$9.00
1 Bedroom$4,029450 ft3$8.95
2 Bedrooms$6,677750 ft3$8.90
3 Bedrooms$9,7381100 ft3$8.85
4 Bedrooms$14,0851600 ft3$8.80
5+ Bedrooms$15,7551800 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.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Oregon to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Pacific Northwest Moving featured image

Pacific Northwest Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details