Quick answer
Texas has lower average 1BR rent ($1,327/mo vs $1,495/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs Oregon (Up to 9.9%) — on a $120K salary that's $11,880/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Oregon vs Texas
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Oregon vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | Oregon | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,495 | $1,327 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $472K | $379K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Eugene ($1,400) | El Paso ($1,050) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Portland ($1,590) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | Up to 9.9% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 57/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 7 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$7,920
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$11,880
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$19,800
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Oregon (OR)
Tax reality
Oregon has one of the highest state income taxes in the US — 9.9% on income over $125K. BUT zero sales tax, which benefits high spenders and makes Oregon a strong pick for buyers and frequent shoppers. Property tax is moderate (~1% effective). The estate tax kicks in at $1M.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕State income tax at 9.9% (top bracket, kicking in at ~$125K) is among the highest in the US. High earners considering Oregon should compare against Washington's 0% and factor $10,000+/year state tax hit.
- ✕Portland has real livability concerns downtown that haven't fully resolved. Outside central downtown, residential neighborhoods are fine, but the downtown office/retail core is struggling.
- ✕PNW cloud cover runs October-April just like Seattle — 150+ cloudy days per year. Seasonal affective disorder is real for transplants from sunny climates.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (7 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon or Texas cheaper to live in?
Texas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,327/mo vs $1,495/mo in Oregon, a $168/mo difference. Home prices: Texas median is $379K vs $472K.
Oregon vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs Up to 9.9% in Oregon. On an $80K salary that's $7,920/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $19,800/year.
Should I move from Oregon to Texas?
Oregon has one of the highest state income taxes in the US — 9.9% on income over $125K. BUT zero sales tax, which benefits high spenders and makes Oregon a strong pick for buyers and frequent shoppers. Property tax is moderate (~1% effective). The estate tax kicks in at $1M.
What are the best cities in Oregon vs Texas?
Oregon's largest metros include Portland, Eugene. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Oregon suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.