Oregonincome tax up to 9.9%, 25th lowest property tax, median home $480K
D+14 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 110
9.9%
Income Tax
302
Violent Crime / 100K
78
Life Expectancy
$480K
Median Home
$1,550
Childcare / Mo
Oregon in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to Oregon
Oregon has no sales tax and a graduated income tax that reaches 9.9% at modest incomes, plus an estate tax that begins at $1 million, the lowest threshold in the country. Portland adds regional income taxes for homeless services and preschool. Statewide land-use rules limit sprawl, which keeps home prices high in the Willamette Valley. The state does not tax Social Security.
What Oregon taxes, and what it doesn't
Oregon levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 9.9%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 8.3%, about $6,243 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 8.7%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Oregon has the highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.82% of home value a year, roughly $3,936 on the state's median home of $480K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Oregon has the 25th lowest rate of the 50 states.
There is no sales tax in Oregon.
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and an estate tax applies above $1 million.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in Oregon
Oregon's cost of living index is 110, where 100 is the national average; that is the 14th most expensive of the 50 states.
The median home costs $480K, 58% above the national figure and the 8th highest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,700 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $800 a year, flood coverage adds about $550 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,480.
Budget $110 a month for electricity and gas, $540 a month in groceries for two, $1,550 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 302 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); Oregon is the 19th safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 3,078 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 78 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 7.1% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Oregon's health system 14th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 21st in the country.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, Oregon is a solidly Democratic state that went to Harris by 14 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are may-issue, at the discretion of local authorities, a permit is required to buy a handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws A-.
Abortion is protected by state law. Marijuana is legal for adults. Oregon is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $14.70 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is high. The main hazards are wildfire, earthquake, flood. Annual average air quality index is 50 (under 50 is good).
Oregon has a major hub airport, with about 95 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in Oregon
State Profile
Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
▾
Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$3,936/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Lowest estate tax exemption in the US at $1M
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
▾
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Near US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Below national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
More restrictive than most states (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
No statewide STR law; local control.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
▾
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Above national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Among the highest registry rates (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Among the highest homelessness rates; 62% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
More on Oregon
Healthcare#14 of 50▾
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
EducationK-12 #21 of 50▾
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Below national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare$1,550/mo infant care▾
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs$110/mo energy▾
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Cleaner than US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Below national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel95+ nonstop routes▾
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle81% urban▾
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
8.8/100K residents: Top tier
Craft Distilleries
Strong spirits scene
Live Music
Portland craft beer capital (8.8/100K); Deschutes, Rogue, Widmer legacy; MusicfestNW; Pickathon
Transportation$1,480/yr car insurance▾
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal$14.7/hr minimum wage▾
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
No gestational limit; strong state protections
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
9 tribal casinos. State lottery operates video poker terminals in bars. Sports betting via lottery (Scoreboard app).
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Medically Accurate Required
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Collins Beach (Sauvie Island) · Rooster Rock State Park · Portland Outdoor Club
Environment & ClimateAQI 50▾
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun LawsD+14 · gun law grade A-▾
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
No state prohibition; posting governs.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy4.5% unemployment▾
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Near US average (~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+1% job growth · 4.5% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Strong tech presence
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
High remote work culture
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Among the most unionized states (BLS 2025)
Business Climate#40 of 50▾
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
0.57% gross receipts tax applies
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Both a 7.6% corp income tax and 0.57% Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) on gross receipts over $1M
Daily Life$3.62/gal gas▾
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Well above avg (+0.32 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Ground-based only in most areas; aerial banned
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks81°F avg July▾
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 46°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards31/100 danger▾
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Scorpions
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Murder Hornets
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits56/100 veteran-friendly▾
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
7.9% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Oregon counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare, ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Oregon
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance: all estimated.
Compare Similar States
OR vs CO
Oregon vs Colorado
COL 110 vs 110 · 9.9% vs 4.4% income tax
Full comparison →
OR vs VT
Oregon vs Vermont
COL 110 vs 111 · 9.9% vs 8.75% income tax
Full comparison →
OR vs ME
Oregon vs Maine
COL 110 vs 107 · 9.9% vs 7.15% income tax
Full comparison →
OR vs CT
Oregon vs Connecticut
COL 110 vs 114 · 9.9% vs 6.99% income tax
Full comparison →
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Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.