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State-to-State Guide

Moving from Oregon to California

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Oregon to California move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving Oregon

Population4.2M
State Income Tax4.75%-9.9%
Avg Home Price$480,000
Avg Rent$1,500/mo
Property Tax Rate0.97%
DESTINATION

Moving to California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%

Why Are People Moving from Oregon to California?

The migration corridor between Oregon and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Oregon, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $305,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.

Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 40°F in Oregon.

Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Oregon's Technology and Forestry sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

965 mi
15h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Portland, OR
via I-5 North
1090 mi
16h drive
San Diego, CA
Portland, OR
via I-5 North
736 mi
13.4h drive
Portland, OR
San Jose, CA
via I-5 South
635 mi
10h drive
San Francisco, CA
Portland, OR
via I-5 North
812 mi
14.8h drive
Portland, OR
Fresno, CA
via I-5 South
628 mi
11.4h drive
Portland, OR
Sacramento, CA
via I-5 South
944 mi
17.2h drive
Portland, OR
Bakersfield, CA
via I-5 South
1099 mi
20h drive
Portland, OR
Anaheim, CA
via I-5 South
1108 mi
20.1h drive
Portland, OR
Santa Ana, CA
via I-5 South
1099 mi
20h drive
Portland, OR
Long Beach, CA
via I-5 South

Cities in Oregon

Portland

Population653K
Median Home Price$500,000

Other Major Cities

Bend
Eugene
Medford
Salem

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 912 miles between Oregon and California:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,256
3–4 BR Home
$3,094

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

Oregon → California Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.

Things to Know About California

  • • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
  • • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
  • • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal

What's Different: Oregon vs California

Taxes

Oregon Income Tax:4.75%-9.9%
California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Oregon Property Tax:0.97%
California Property Tax:0.76%

Weather

Oregon Summer Avg:80°F
California Summer Avg:85°F
Oregon Winter Avg:40°F
California Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

Oregon COL Index:113
California COL Index:150
Oregon Avg Home Price:$480,000
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Oregon Avg Rent:$1,500/mo
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo

Ready to make the move to California?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Oregon and California.