Moving from Arizona to Oregon

Moving from Arizona to Oregon covers about 1,232 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.

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AZ vs OR at a Glance

Income Tax

AZ2.5%
OR9.9%
Property Tax (effective)
AZ0.48%
OR0.81%

Sales Tax

AZ5.6%
ORNo sales tax

Time Zone

AZMountain
ORPacific

You'll be changing time zones

Distance

By road~1,232 mi
Drive time~22.5 hrs

Moving Cost

Typical range$4,000–$7,500

Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.

What This Move Means for You

Higher income tax

Oregon's top income tax rate (~9.9%) is higher than Arizona's (~2.5%). The difference shows up in every paycheck.

Colder winters ahead

Oregon averages 12°F cooler than Arizona. Pack cold-weather clothing and expect higher heating bills through the winter.

Before You Leave Arizona

File Form 140PY for the year you move

You are a part-year resident if you move out of Arizona intending to give up your residency. File Form 140PY. Arizona taxes all income you earned while you lived here. It also taxes income from Arizona sources after you leave. Enter the date you gave up residency and the name of your new state. If two states tax the same income, see Form 309 for a credit.

Source: Arizona Department of Revenue, Form 140PY Instructions (2025)

Order a paper title before you register the car elsewhere

Arizona stores title information electronically. You do not automatically get a paper title. You may need a paper title when you move out of state. Order one with the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. The fee is $4. If you still have a loan on the car, ask your lender how it will send the title to your new state.

Source: ADOT, Title and Registration Topics

You do not have to tell MVD you moved

When you register the car in your new state, that state should notify Arizona MVD. Until that happens, you may still get registration renewal and insurance notices. Arizona does not refund the rest of your registration after you register the car somewhere else.

Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQ

Keep Arizona insurance until you register the car elsewhere

Keep your Arizona insurance until your new state registers the car. Insurance companies report cancelled policies to MVD. A lapse can lead to a registration suspension. With an insurance suspension in Arizona, you cannot get a driver license in another state until you clear it. To clear it, show proof of Arizona insurance that was in effect at the time. If you cannot, pay a $50 reinstatement fee and show current Arizona insurance.

Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQ

Register a house you rent out with the county assessor

If you keep a home and rent it out, record it with the assessor in its county. An owner who lives outside Arizona must also name a statutory agent who lives in Arizona. Do this before a tenant moves in. State law does not let anyone live in the rental until the record is on file. Update the information within 10 days after it changes. A city or town can fine an owner who does not register.

Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1902, Residential rental property

Maricopa County: a house you leave is no longer a primary residence

A primary residence is your one main home, where you or a qualified family member live more than seven months a year. If you claim a home in another state as your primary residence, the Arizona house no longer qualifies. A house rented to someone outside the family becomes class 4.2 rental property. Class 4.2 does not get the State Aid credit, so the tax bill may go up.

Source: Maricopa County Assessor, FAQ

Your Moving Timeline

1

8 Weeks Before

At about 1,232 miles (~22.5 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.

2

4 Weeks Before

Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.

3

1 Week Before

Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.

4

Moving Day

Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.

5

After the Move

Update your driver's license at the Oregon DMV, register to vote in OR, and set up your new utilities.

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Climate Comparison

Arizona

Annual avg temp60°F
Annual precipitation13″

Hot desert climate with dry heat, sunny skies, and mild winters.

Oregon

Annual avg temp48°F
Annual precipitation27″

Marine west coast with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers.

Utilities & Cost of Living

Arizona

Avg monthly electric bill$160/mo
Cost of living index107.6 (US avg = 100)

Oregon

Avg monthly electric bill$130/mo
Cost of living index109.6 (US avg = 100)

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is it from Arizona to Oregon?

The driving distance from Arizona to Oregon is approximately 1,232 miles — about 22.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.

How much does it cost to move from Arizona to Oregon?

A professional interstate move from Arizona to Oregon typically costs between $4,000 and $7,500, depending on the size of your home and time of year.

  • Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.

How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Oregon?

After establishing residency in Oregon, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Oregon DMV office.

  • Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Oregon DMV before you go.

What is the climate like in Oregon?

Oregon has marine west coast with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers.

  • The annual average temperature is 48°F, with about 27 inches of precipitation per year.
  • Average monthly electricity bills run around $130.