Oregon to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 394 mile interstate move from Oregon to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs ranch, modern farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Pinot Noir Braised Duck, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Huckleberry Glazed Pork Ribs
- Idaho housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in Idaho is 8.50% more affordable than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to Idaho will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Oregon to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company
Oregon to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to Idaho
- Cost of living
- High housing prices
- Urban overcrowding
- Traffic congestion
- Rainy weather
- Lower cost of living
- Affordable housing market
- More open spaces
- Less traffic
- Drier climate
- Limited cultural venues
- Fewer top-tier restaurants
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Minimal public transportation
- Landlocked state
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Diverse dining options
- Rich history
- Advanced public transit
- Proximity to ocean
Pros of moving from Oregon to Idaho
- Say goodbye to the cost of living and hello to a lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from high housing prices and moving to Idaho with an affordable housing market
- Swap the urban overcrowding of Oregon for more open spaces in Idaho
- Get ready for less traffic in Idaho
Cons of moving from Oregon to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant cultural scene in Oregon to live with limited cultural venues in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer top-tier restaurants
- Time to bid farewell to a rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Idaho
- Swap advanced public transit for minimal public transportation
Oregon vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Dungeness Crab | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Pinot Noir Braised Duck | Huckleberry Glazed Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Voodoo Doughnuts | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | Quinoa 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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Oregon for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Pinot Noir Braised Duck and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnuts, Idaho residents know they have tasty Huckleberry Glazed Pork Ribs and Finger Steaks 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 Quinoa Salad of Idaho. 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 Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Chandlers Steakhouse, Basque Market, and Westside Drive-In.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and Idaho
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Ranch, Modern Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Eco-friendly, Open space | Family-friendly, Large yards |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and open space, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly environments and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
- Idaho housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in Idaho is 8.50% more affordable than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and Idaho
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Earthquakes | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 51Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 33Β°F | 34Β°F / 16Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 20" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 8" | 60" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to Idaho. Idaho gets 44% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and earthquakes in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 4 degrees warmer than Oregon.
- The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 23 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and Idaho
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 9.9% | 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 4% less than in Oregon
- The COLI in Idaho will be 17% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
- The state income tax in ID is 6.925% compared to 9.9% in OR
- The affluence in Idaho is modest compared to moderate in Oregon
- The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to low in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oregon and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. Idaho
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers | Rural conservative communities |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Highly religious, Christian majority |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as highly religious and Christian majority
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to Idaho
Comparison | Oregon | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Findley Elementary (Beaverton) Jacob Wismer Elementary (Portland) | Adams Elementary (Boise) Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Portland) | North Junior High School (Boise) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Les Bois Junior High School (Boise) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Lincoln High School (Portland) South Eugene High School (Eugene) Corvallis High School (Corvallis) | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Delphian School (Sheridan) Portland Waldorf School (Milwaukie) Valley Catholic School (Beaverton) | Concordia Christian Academy (Meridian) Foothills School of Arts and Sciences (Boise) Treasure Valley Classical Academy (Fruitland) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Corvallis School District Beaverton School District | Boise School District Blaine County School District West Ada School District |
How Much Do Oregon to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 394 miles from Oregon to Idaho will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,426 | 300 ft3 | $4.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,116 | 450 ft3 | $4.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,490 | 750 ft3 | $4.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,063 | 1100 ft3 | $4.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,285 | 1600 ft3 | $4.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,105 | 1800 ft3 | $4.50 |
Top Oregon to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.