Oregon is the #1 state Americans moved to in 2025, study says

The Beaver State Jumps to First Place

For years, the narrative was that Oregon was losing people. Headlines focused on Portland’s problems, rising costs, and residents heading for the exits.

But the data from 2025 tells a completely different story.

United Van Lines just released its 49th Annual National Movers Study, and Oregon claimed the top spot in the country for inbound migration.

The Beaver State jumped from eighth place in 2024 to first, with 65% of all moves being people arriving rather than leaving.

What changed, and why are so many Americans suddenly packing up and heading to Oregon?

65% of Moves Were Inbound

United Van Lines tracks migration patterns based on household moves handled by its network across the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. States are classified as high inbound if 55% or more of moves are going into a state.

Oregon hit 64.5% inbound, meaning nearly two out of every three moves involving the state were people arriving rather than departing.

That puts Oregon at number one in the entire country, not just trending upward or in the top five, but leading the nation.

Eugene-Springfield Led All Metros

At the metro level, Eugene-Springfield recorded 85% inbound migration, the highest percentage of any metro area in the country. Wilmington, North Carolina came in second at 83%, followed by Dover, Delaware at 79%.

The ranking surprised even local real estate professionals, though they noted Oregon remains attractive to people interested in the West Coast due to its comparative affordability.

The Eugene-Springfield area offers everything Oregon is known for at a lower price point than Portland or Bend.

Jobs in Tech and Healthcare

About 36% of people moving to Oregon came specifically for job opportunities, making it the leading destination for job-seeking migrants in the country.

The main draws were positions in growing tech and healthcare fields.

Oregon’s private healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to add 40,400 jobs over the next decade, making it the fastest growing industry in the state.

Major healthcare employers like PeaceHealth employ more than 5,400 people in the Eugene-Springfield region alone.

Springfield Is the Quiet Magnet

Springfield offers a lower cost of living than other Oregon metros, making it attractive because of its proximity to both Eugene and Portland.

The city is rapidly emerging as a center for technology development and service businesses, benefiting from Eugene’s reputation as the Silicon Shire.

Companies are discovering the benefits of the Springfield-Eugene metro area and locating there to take advantage of skilled workers, low operating costs, and an engaged lifestyle.

The average commute in Springfield runs about 10 minutes, giving workers more time for the outdoor activities that draw people to Oregon in the first place.

No Sales Tax in Oregon

Oregon is one of only five states without a general sales tax, and this policy has been in place for over a hundred years. Instead of sales tax, Oregon funds public services through income and property taxes.

If you buy a $100 pair of shoes in Oregon, it costs $100, not $109 like it would in California. The lack of sales tax is also beneficial to retirees, who can see savings on everyday purchases.

Voters have repeatedly rejected attempts to introduce a sales tax, and the state has no plans to change this system.

A West Coast Alternative

Oregon real estate agents say the Pacific Northwest has long drawn people because outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, skiing, and boating are easily accessible in all directions.

California wildfire concerns affected many people’s decisions to leave that state, with some feeling that home prices no longer aligned with their long-term plans.

While Oregon is more expensive than most states, if you want an affordable place to live on the West Coast, Oregon may actually be your best bet.

The Beaver State offers similar job markets and natural beauty without the extreme housing costs of the Bay Area or Los Angeles.

Healthcare Jobs Keep Growing

Oregon’s healthcare growth represents a 13% increase over the next decade, meaning three out of every ten new jobs added will be in health care and social assistance.

Longer life expectancies, Oregon’s aging population, and long-term population growth are all expected to contribute to the growing need for healthcare workers.

Healthcare and social assistance consistently rank among the top local employers in Eugene-Springfield, offering stable, well-paying jobs.

University-linked research programs in biotech and clinical trials at places like the University of Oregon further strengthen this sector.

Outdoor Recreation Everywhere

People who move to and live in Oregon love the outdoors, with access to the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, plus all four seasons.

The Columbia River Gorge sits less than an hour from Portland and features the largest concentration of waterfalls in the country. Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, draws visitors year-round.

The Eugene-Springfield area offers a more temperate climate than Central Oregon or the coast, along with arts, culture, and higher education.

Whether you want to surf, ski, hike, or fish, Oregon puts it all within a few hours drive.

Portland Costs More but Competes

Housing in Portland costs 38% more than the national average, while utilities actually run 4% less than the national average.

Portland remains less expensive than major coastal hubs like Seattle and San Francisco while offering a comparable lifestyle and access to jobs in tech, design, and healthcare.

Costs remain about 25% below Seattle and over 50% below San Francisco.

The median home sale price in Portland stands at $500,000, significantly higher than the $420,000 national median but still competitive for West Coast cities.

Remote Workers Find Balance

Many new residents are arriving for jobs, family, affordability, and quality of life.

Domestic migration trends that emerged during the pandemic have persisted, including Americans’ keenness to relocate to smaller, more affordable towns while ditching expensive urban centers.

Springfield’s location between the Seattle metro area and the Bay Area, with daily direct flights to both, makes it attractive for remote workers who occasionally need to travel.

The combination of fast internet, lower costs, and outdoor access makes Oregon a natural fit for professionals who can work from anywhere.

Family and Jobs Drive Decisions

American migration patterns are primarily driven by the desire to be closer to family, followed by the job market.

The study found that 29% of movers relocated to be closer to family, while 26% moved for a new job or company transfer.

Retirement accounted for 14% of moves, followed by lifestyle changes at 10% and improved cost of living at 3%.

For Oregon specifically, the job-seeking percentage ran higher than the national average, reflecting the state’s growing employment opportunities.

Oregon Proves the Critics Wrong

After years of hearing that Oregon was finished, washed up, or emptying out, the data tells a different story.

While the birth rate in Oregon is well below the national average, inbound migration is having an impact and shaping statewide population change, especially in metro areas.

People may argue louder than ever, but quietly and steadily, people are still choosing to move to Oregon.

The Beaver State has gone from punching bag to number one destination, and the numbers say more than any headline ever could.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

Read more from this brand:

• The daring 1857 Mount Hood climb that changed Oregon history
• How one immigrant built Oregon’s first newspaper empire by spreading anti-Chinese hate across the West
• Why Portland’s Flanders, Lovejoy, and Quimby streets sound so familiar to TV fans