Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,440 in Oregon versus $1,357 in Virginia. Overall, Virginia runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Oregon, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $88,792 in Oregon and $90,685 in Virginia — about 2% higher in Virginia. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.3%
+5.3 pp in Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
9.90%
5.75%
+4.2 pp in Oregon
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,440
$1,357
+6% in Oregon
Median Home Value
$557,600
$366,300
+34% in Oregon
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$88,792
$90,685
+2% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.5°F
59.9°F
+5.4°F in Virginia
Oregon vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Oregon or Virginia?
- Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,357 runs about 6% below Oregon's $1,440, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Oregon than in Virginia?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $58,000 a year in Oregon versus $54,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Oregon or Virginia?
- Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Oregon/Virginia — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.