Pennsylvania to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 2,553 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Dungeness Crab), real estate & housing (colonial, farmhouse vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Dungeness Crab & Grilled Salmon
- Oregon housing costs are 91% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Oregon is 18.98% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Oregon movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Urban congestion
- Limited outdoor activities
- Fewer craft breweries
- Mild climate
- Lower taxes
- More open spaces
- Extensive outdoor recreation
- Renowned breweries
- Fewer historical sites
- Less diverse culture
- Isolated location
- Lacks Amish communities
- Fewer colleges
- Rich history
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to New York
- Amish country charm
- Well-established colleges
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Oregon with lower taxes
- Swap the urban congestion of Pennsylvania for more open spaces in Oregon
- Get ready for extensive outdoor recreation in Oregon
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of a less diverse culture
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to New York and get used to an isolated location in Oregon
- Swap Amish country charm for a lack of Amish communities
Pennsylvania vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Grilled Salmon |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | Tempeh Reuben |
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 Pennsylvania to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Oregon. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Oregon residents know they have tasty Grilled Salmon and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Voodoo Doughnut, and Screen Door.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Oregon
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Farmhouse | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic details, Outdoor space | Eco-friendly features, Mountain views |
- The Colonial and Farmhouse architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference historic details and outdoor space, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and mountain views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Oregon is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Oregon has an equally urban feel to Pennsylvania.
- Oregon housing costs are 91% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Pennsylvania's $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Oregon is 18.98% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Oregon
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Floods | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 81/55 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33/18 | 47/36 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Oregon gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Oregon.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 4 degrees colder than Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oregon. Oregon receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Oregon
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 4.75% β 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.90% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 0.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Finance | Technology, Agriculture, Forest Products |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 5% more than those in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Oregon will be 11% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in OR is 4.75% β 9.9% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Oregon is above average compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is low in Oregon compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Oregon
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans towards Democratic in urban areas | Liberal, especially in urban areas like Portland |
Local Politics | Diverse, reflects a balance of urban and rural priorities | Environmentally and socially progressive policies are prevalent |
Religion | Varied religious landscape, with Christianity being predominant | Less religiously affiliated than average, with a significant βnoneβ population |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean mixed and leans towards Democratic in urban areas in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal, especially in urban areas like Portland
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated than average, with a significant 'none' population
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a varied religious landscape, with Christianity being predominant
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Penn State Carnegie Mellon University | University of Oregon Oregon State University Portland State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wharton School (Philadelphia) Masterman (Philadelphia) Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) | Ainsworth Elementary (Portland) Findley Elementary (Portland) Jackson Elementary (Hillsboro) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Masterman (Philadelphia) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Portland) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Corbett School (Corbett) Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego) Portland's Lincoln High School (Portland) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Agnes Irwin School (Rosemont) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Philadelphia) | Riverdale Grade School (Portland) Valley Catholic School (Beaverton) Catlin Gabel School (Portland) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Lake Oswego School District Riverdale School District West Linn-Wilsonville School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,553 miles from Pennsylvania to Oregon 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,650 | 300 ft3 | $8.83 |
1 Bedroom | $3,952 | 450 ft3 | $8.78 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,550 | 750 ft3 | $8.73 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,551 | 1100 ft3 | $8.68 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,813 | 1600 ft3 | $8.63 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,449 | 1800 ft3 | $8.58 |
Top Pennsylvania to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Oregon