Compare states / California → Oregon
CA → OR
Compare California and Oregon
California’s top income-tax rate of 13.3% is 3.4 points above Oregon’s 9.9%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $7,599 a year versus $10,181. The median home in California is valued at $778,217, about 54% more than Oregon’s $506,014. Oregon has no general sales tax, against an average combined 8.99% in California; effective property-tax rates are 0.70% in California and 0.81% in Oregon. For the outdoors, California has 9 national parks to Oregon’s 1.
Moving the other way (Oregon to California)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Oregon; for California, see the California page.
Data: California (ftb.ca.gov, dmv.ca.gov); Oregon (oregon.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| California | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 13.3% | 9.9% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.99% | 0.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.70% | 0.81% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 0.65% effective | No |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | No | Yes — $1M exemption |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $16.90 | $15.55 statewide |
| Median home value | $778,217 | $506,014 |
| Tax when you title a car | 7.25% | 0.00% |
| State parks | 89 | 54 |
| National parks | 9 | 1 |
| Population density | 252.5/sq mi | 45.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 486.0 | 331.0 |
| Demographics | 32.5% White (non-Hispanic) 41.2% Hispanic 6.4% Black 17.5% Asian | 72.8% White (non-Hispanic) 14.4% Hispanic 2.0% Black 4.9% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 10 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 20 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from California to Oregon?
California: 1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top). Oregon: Top listed rate 9.9%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $10,181 in Oregon. If you earned in both states this year, see CA tax agency and OR tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in California and Oregon
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 13.3% vs 9.9%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Oregon
New residents of Oregon typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 0.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $223.00 (tax $0.00 + title $101.00 + registration $112.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Oregon
Title fee + plate + base registration + 0.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Oregon
After you become an Oregon resident, you typically have 30 days to get an Oregon driver license. Bring your California license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Oregon. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Oregon DMV. California plates are not a substitute for Oregon registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: California to Oregon
- Get an OR driver license within 30 days. Bring your CA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Oregon (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Oregon DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. Oregon elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. CA tax agency · OR tax agency.
- Neither is in the compact. Treat this as a new OR license.
Biggest differences in moving from California to Oregon
- Top listed income-tax rate: 13.3% in California vs 9.9% in Oregon (lower in Oregon).
- Oregon title-tax rate used here is 0.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $223.00 (county extras omitted).
- Oregon has a state estate tax (Yes — $1M exemption). California does not.
- New residents of Oregon typically have 30 days to get a driver license (in California, the window is 10 days).
- California lists a vehicle personal-property tax; Oregon does not have one.
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from California to Oregon?
The top listed rate goes down: 13.3% in California vs 9.9% in Oregon. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $10,181 in Oregon. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How does sales tax in Oregon compare to California?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 8.99% in California vs 0.00% in Oregon. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
How much is vehicle sales tax in Oregon compared with California?
Oregon title-tax rate used here is 0.00% (7.25% in California). Title the car in Oregon within 30 days (20 days in California). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $223.00 (county extras omitted).
Does Oregon have an estate tax that California does not?
California: No. No state estate tax. Oregon: Yes — $1M exemption. Oregon requires Form OR-706 if the estate is $1 million or more and includes Oregon-taxable property. Tax applies to the Oregon taxable estate above $1 million. Federal estate tax can still apply in either state.
Does Oregon drop the vehicle personal-property tax I would pay in California?
California lists a vehicle personal-property tax (0.65% effective). Oregon does not have one. Vehicle license fee of 0.65% of value (not a county PPT).
How many state and national parks are in California vs Oregon?
California has 89 state parks and 9 national parks. Oregon has 54 state parks and 1 national parks. State-park counts are units each state officially designates as state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, wildlife areas, forests, and similar non-park units omitted). National parks are National Park Service units designated National Park, counted in each state they sit in.
How do California and Oregon compare on demographics?
California: 32.5% White (non-Hispanic), 41.2% Hispanic, 6.4% Black, 17.5% Asian. Oregon: 72.8% White (non-Hispanic), 14.4% Hispanic, 2.0% Black, 4.9% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see Oregon and California on their own. Moving from Oregon to California instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
California → Texas · California → Arizona · California → Nevada · California → Washington
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. California does not tax Social Security benefits (CA tax agency); Oregon does not tax Social Security benefits (OR tax agency).
- Estate tax. California has no state estate tax (CA tax agency); Oregon estate tax.
- Inheritance tax. California has no state inheritance tax (CA tax agency); Oregon has no state inheritance tax (OR tax agency).
- Minimum wage. California $16.90; Oregon $15.55 statewide.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. California 7.25%; Oregon 0.00%.
- State parks. California 89; Oregon 54. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; CA 9, OR 1).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (CA vs OR: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. California 10 days; Oregon 30 days.
- Days to title a car. California 20 days; Oregon 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled