Ocity scenario
#1764.0 / 100Pacific Northwest decision guide
OregonvsWashington
Compare cost, housing, income, labor and quality-of-life reference fields without reducing the decision to income tax versus sales tax alone.
VS
Ocity scenario
#3355.8 / 100Read the comparison before the verdict
2026 is the edition and review year—not the observation year for every input. This page compares statewide references. It does not estimate your tax bill, insurance quote, local school, current job opening, neighborhood safety or exact housing cost.
Direct field comparison
10-factor decision matrix
Field leaders: Oregon6 · Washington4
| Field | Oregon | Washington | Field leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index100 represents the reference national average. | 110.2 | 110.7 | Oregon |
| Home-value referenceA statewide planning reference, not a current quote for a specific property. | $475,000 | $575,000 | Oregon |
| Estimated tax burdenAn estimate, not a statutory income, sales or property-tax rate. | 10.1% | 8.3% | Washington |
| Median household incomeA household measure, not an individual salary. | $71,562 | $82,400 | Washington |
| Job-growth referenceA statewide reference estimate; local industries can differ. | 2.5% | 2.8% | Washington |
| Unemployment referenceA statewide labor-market reference estimate. | 4.2% | 4.0% | Washington |
| Violent crime rateReference incidents per 100,000 residents; statewide averages hide local variation. | 291 / 100k | 370 / 100k | Oregon |
| Healthcare comparative rankLower rank is treated as better in the Ocity scenario. | #16 | #30 | Oregon |
| Education comparative rankLower rank is treated as better in the Ocity scenario. | #20 | #37 | Oregon |
| Ocity climate-comfort scoreAn Ocity preference score, not a published government statistical series. | 62 / 100 | 55 / 100 | Oregon |
Where Oregon leads
6 of 10 included fields
- Cost:110.2
- Home:$475,000
- Safety:291 / 100k
- Health:#16
- Education:#20
- Climate:62 / 100
Where Washington leads
4 of 10 included fields
- Tax:8.3%
- Income:$82,400
- Jobs:2.8%
- Unemployment:4.0%
Use the pair for a real decision
Three questions to take to the city level
Cost and tax structure context
Compare the statewide signal here, then validate the exact metro, city and household scenario before deciding.
Housing and household income
Compare the statewide signal here, then validate the exact metro, city and household scenario before deciding.
Jobs, safety and statewide ranks
Compare the statewide signal here, then validate the exact metro, city and household scenario before deciding.
Explore Oregon
Explore Washington
Verified local owners
Take the statewide signal to real city pages
These city, salary and neighborhood destinations already exist. Compare current local conditions before treating a statewide average as your household result.
Research cities in Oregon
Research cities in Washington
Sources and data boundaries
Population2020 Census baselineIncomeACS reference estimatesLabor marketBLS LAUS/CES reference estimatesViolent crimeFBI UCR/CDE reference ratesCost, housing, taxCompiled reference estimates; verify locallyHealth and educationComparative ranks; lower is better
Limitations.
Statewide averages hide large local differences. Cost, housing and tax references can change quickly. Healthcare and education are comparative ranks. The climate field is an Ocity preference score. Use these fields to structure research, not to replace current local or professional advice.
Common questions
Is Oregon or Washington cheaper to live in?
In this state-level reference set, Oregon has the lower cost-of-living index (110.2 versus 110.7). Statewide references do not establish the cost in a specific city or household.
Which state has the higher household income, Oregon or Washington?
The included median household income reference is higher for Washington. This is a household measure, not an individual salary or take-home-pay estimate.
Does the Ocity scenario identify a universal winner?
No. The overall scenario applies published weights to mixed-vintage reference fields. Different priorities, cities and household circumstances can reverse the decision.
Change the lens