6OR wins
5WA wins
Category Overlay
OregonWashington
Category Scores
💰 EconomyWA +19.8
OR
27.1
WA
46.9
🛡️ SafetyOR +8.2
OR
50.5
WA
42.3
🏥 HealthWA +24.5
OR
63.3
WA
87.8
🎓 EducationOR +6.2
OR
63.3
WA
57.1
💼 Fiscal HealthWA +8.9
OR
55.4
WA
64.3
📈 GrowthWA +13.3
OR
25.8
WA
39.1
🏠 AffordabilityOR +14.0
OR
50.3
WA
36.3
🌿 EnvironmentWA +8.9
OR
64.2
WA
73.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessOR +18.0
OR
53.4
WA
35.4
🚇 TransportationOR +5.2
OR
69.2
WA
64.0
🎭 LivabilityOR +14.9
OR
53.9
WA
39.0
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Oregon | Washington | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,233,358 | 7,812,880 | WA |
| Median Income | $77,630 | $90,325 | WA |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | 4.9% | WA |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 292 | 372 | OR |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 105 | 109 | OR |
| HS Graduation Rate | 81% | 82% | WA |
| Life Expectancy | 78.8 yr | 79.2 yr | WA |
| Pop Growth | +0.5% | +1% | WA |
Oregon vs Washington: How Do They Compare?
Oregon ranks #26 overall with a composite score of 58.1, earning a B grade. Washington sits at #22 with 61.4 and a B grade. Washington has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Oregon has 5.4% unemployment and a $77,630 median income, while Washington reports 4.9% unemployment and $90,325 median income.
For safety, Oregon's violent crime rate is 292 per 100K compared to 372 in Washington. Cost of living favors Oregon with an index of 105 vs 109.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023