Wisconsin to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,994 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Marionberry Pie), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry Pie & Dungeness Crab
- Oregon housing costs are 69% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Oregon is 41.21% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Oregon movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Marionberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-battered Mushrooms | 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 Wisconsin to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-battered Mushrooms 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 Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Culver's. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Screen Door, and Voodoo Doughnut.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Oregon
Comparison | Wisconsin | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, Large garages | Eco-friendly features, Outdoor living spaces |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and large garages, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly designs and outdoor living spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Oregon housing costs are 69% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Oregon is 41.21% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Oregon
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/62Β°F | 81Β°F/51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 29Β°F/13Β°F | 47Β°F/35Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34 | 43 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Wisconsin to Oregon. Oregon gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Oregon has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon.
- The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 1 degree colder than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 22 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Oregon
Comparison | Wisconsin | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 3.54 - 7.65% | 4.75 - 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.90% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Technology, Agriculture, Forestry |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 7% more than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Oregon will be 16% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in OR is 4.75% to 9.9% compared to 3.54% to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Oregon is higher compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Oregon compared to lower in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Wisconsin and higher in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Comparison | Wisconsin | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state with a mix of Republican and Democratic support | Liberal, especially in urban areas like Portland and Eugene |
Local Politics | Local governments can be more conservative than state-level politics | Local politics lean towards environmental and social progressive policies |
Religion | Majority Christian with a significant presence of Catholic and Lutheran denominations | Less religiously affiliated overall, with a notable segment identifying as non-religious |
- Wisconsin tends to lean battleground state with a mix of Republican and Democratic support in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal, especially in urban areas like Portland and Eugene
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated overall, with a notable segment identifying as non-religious
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian with a significant presence of Catholic and Lutheran denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Oregon
Comparison | Wisconsin | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee; Marquette University Milwaukee | University of Oregon Eugene; Oregon State University Corvallis; Portland State University Portland |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton; Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison; Swanson Elementary Brookfield | Ainsworth Elementary Portland; Findley Elementary Portland; Lake Oswego Junior High Lake Oswego |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Wauwatosa; Pilgrim Park Middle School Elm Grove; Kromrey Middle School Middleton | Stoller Middle School Portland; Lake Oswego Junior High Lake Oswego; Cedar Park Middle School Beaverton |
Top 3 High Schools | Brookfield East High School Brookfield; Madison West High School Madison; Eau Claire Memorial High School Eau Claire | Corvallis High School Corvallis; Lincoln High School Portland; Lake Oswego High School Lake Oswego |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Marquette University High School Milwaukee | Catlin Gabel School Portland; OES (Oregon Episcopal School) Portland; Valley Catholic School Beaverton |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy Brookfield; Prairie School Racine | Catlin Gabel School Portland; OES (Oregon Episcopal School) Portland; Delphian School Sheridan |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Middleton; Mequon-Thiensville School District Mequon | Lake Oswego School District Lake Oswego; Riverdale School District Portland; Corvallis School District Corvallis |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 1,994 miles from Wisconsin to Oregon 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 | $2,333 | 300 ft3 | $7.78 |
1 Bedroom | $3,477 | 450 ft3 | $7.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,757 | 750 ft3 | $7.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,389 | 1100 ft3 | $7.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,122 | 1600 ft3 | $7.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,548 | 1800 ft3 | $7.53 |
Top Wisconsin to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.