Oregon to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,995 mile interstate move from Oregon to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (craftsman vs prairie and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Oregon
- Rent in Wisconsin is 29.18% more affordable than in Oregon
- Moving from Oregon to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Oregon to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
Oregon to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to Wisconsin
- Higher cost of living
- Frequent rainfall
- Wildfire risk
- Earthquake risk
- Traffic congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Less annual rainfall
- Less wildfire risk
- No earthquake risk
- Less traffic
- Harsh winters
- No ocean access
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited wineries
- Fewer tech jobs
- Mild climate
- Beautiful coastlines
- Diverse culture
- Renowned wine country
- Tech industry jobs
Pros of moving from Oregon to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to higher cost of living and hello to lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from frequent rainfall and moving to Wisconsin with less annual rainfall
- Swap the wildfire risk of Oregon for less wildfire risk in Wisconsin
- Get ready for no earthquake risk in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Oregon to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild climate in Oregon to live with harsh winters in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful coastlines and have to settle for the con of no ocean access
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Wisconsin
- Swap renowned wine country for limited wineries
Oregon vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Dungeness Crab | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Salmon | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Voodoo Doughnuts | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Dungeness Crab of Oregon for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Oregon rave about their flavorful Grilled Salmon and sumptuous Voodoo Doughnuts, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oregon eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Salt & Straw. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, L'Etoile, and Culver's.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oregon. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Oregon. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and Wisconsin
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Prairie and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green spaces, proximity to nature | Family-friendly neighborhoods, access to lakes |
- The Craftsman architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and proximity to nature, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly neighborhoods and access to lakes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Oregon.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Wisconsin is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Oregon.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 41% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Oregonβs $497,946.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased 47% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 29.18% more affordable than in Oregon.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oregon and Wisconsin
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, earthquakes | Snowstorms, tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 55Β°F | 82Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 36Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 48" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 31% more sunshine days than Oregon.
- Wisconsin has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Oregon.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 2 degrees warmer than in Oregon.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin as it receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and Wisconsin
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $75,657 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 110.55 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 9.9% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.1% | 1.7% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Forestry, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 6% less than in Oregon
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 13% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 9.9% in OR
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to moderate in Oregon
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to moderate in Oregon
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oregon and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Mixed, swing state |
Local Politics | Progressive urban areas, conservative rural | Liberal in urban areas, conservative rural regions |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher religious affiliation, diverse denominations |
- Oregon tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a mixed, swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as having higher religious affiliation and diverse denominations
- Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to Wisconsin
Comparison | Oregon | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bethany Elementary (Portland) Oak Creek Elementary (Lake Oswego) Bonny Slope Elementary (Portland) | Swallow School (Hartland) Shorewood Hills Elementary (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton) | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) Shorewood Intermediate School (Shorewood) |
Top 3 High Schools | Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego) International School of Beaverton (Beaverton) South Eugene High School (Eugene) | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) Middleton High School (Middleton) |
Top 3 private high schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) OES (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) OES (Portland) Delphian School (Sheridan) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) The Prairie School (Racine) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District Corvallis School District | Elmbrook School District Shorewood School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Oregon to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,995 miles from Oregon to Wisconsin will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,334 | 300 ft3 | $7.78 |
1 Bedroom | $3,478 | 450 ft3 | $7.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,759 | 750 ft3 | $7.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,391 | 1100 ft3 | $7.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,125 | 1600 ft3 | $7.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,551 | 1800 ft3 | $7.53 |
Top Oregon to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Oregon to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.