what is considered a good income in Oregon? (Portland, Salem: spring break, for sale)

[LeavingSoCal4Oregon]

We have the opportunity to relocate to Salem, Oregon for a job. It pays nearly $115k per year and we were wondering if this was considered quite good for Salem? We are asking because we make nearly $180k in southern california (which, believe it or not, doesn't buy you much! We are actually pretty middle class here!). If I take this job, we will be on just this one income until my husband finds something up there. Is that enough for a family of 4? We love West Salem and are looking for a change of pace where our hard work and money goes a lot further than here in Southern California.

Thanks for any info on typical salaries for up there, or info on West Salem.

[Nell Plotts]

I don't have any data at hand but let me assure you that $115T/yr is considered more than adequate for a family of 4 with a stay at home parent, even in Portland. Whether or not that pay is competitive for your profession I can't say but you can live very comfortably here. This assumes that you don't have a lifestyle where you feel your kids must go to Sun Valley, Vail or Zermalt every spring break and you aren't paying off huge grad school debt.

[Larry Caldwell]

That's going to depend a lot on your household budget, but there are some generalities. Housing will be much cheaper. Cars cost the same, but you probably won't drive as far. Insurance and groceries will be the same. Liquor will be more expensive. Your clothing budget for the first year will be big, because SoCal clothes will only be appropriate for Oregon summers.

$115k should allow a comfortable lifestyle, but there are many people making that much who live from paycheck to paycheck. The key to affluence is the same in Oregon as it is in California; you have to spend less than you make.

[FVWinters]

I make about $35000/year. It ain't much but I am able to save some and live comfortably if simply. If you do not make any significant changes to your lifestyle if/when you move up here and can live within your means where you are now, then $115K will go a good deal farther in Salem than just about anywhere in southern California.

[LeavingSoCal4Oregon]

Originally Posted by LeavingSoCal4Oregon

We have the opportunity to relocate to Salem, Oregon for a job. It pays nearly $115k per year and we were wondering if this was considered quite good for Salem? We are asking because we make nearly $180k in southern california (which, believe it or not, doesn't buy you much! We are actually pretty middle class here!). If I take this job, we will be on just this one income until my husband finds something up there. Is that enough for a family of 4? We love West Salem and are looking for a change of pace where our hard work and money goes a lot further than here in Southern California.

Thanks for any info on typical salaries for up there, or info on West Salem.

Ok, so I guess besides my original question...what I also want to know is "is this a rare opportunity to find a job in this pay range in Oregon?" Should I be jumping on this without hesitation or is this pay range common for Salem?

[hamellr]

It depends on what kind of job it is. I believe the average pay rate for Oregon is about 1/3rd of that.

But if it's a management, or engineer position, then not so impressive and closer into line for pay rates.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by LeavingSoCal4Oregon

Ok, so I guess besides my original question...what I also want to know is "is this a rare opportunity to find a job in this pay range in Oregon?" Should I be jumping on this without hesitation or is this pay range common for Salem?

I don't know about Salem specifically, nor your professsion, but $115K a year for a single job/income seems rare. I imagine that job was pretty competitive, so if you want to get to Oregon, I'd jump on that opportunity (if it's a good one). I do know here in Bend, I couldn't find a job in that salary if I wanted to. Heck, I can't find a job in the $40K range, even with 2 college degrees! Right now, in this economy, especially in Oregon, that almost sounds too good to be true. I'd leap!

[karlsch]

Estimated median household income in 2009: $42,035 (it was $38,881 in 2000)

Salem:
$42,035

Oregon:
$48,457

The whole thing here: https://www.city-data.com/city/Salem-Oregon.html

Also: List of U.S. states by income - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Silverfall]

For Salem it is really good pay. I was about to say what karlsh showed is that the average income of a Salemite is around $40,000. Whether or not you can live on that depends on your lifestyle choices. It is a very liveable wage in Salem but a lot depends on what kind of house that you buy etc.

Most people take pay cuts moving from California to Oregon. Our pay is generally less but cost of housing is much less too so it kind of ends up being a break even thing.

[Dry Side]

My advice to anyone moving to Oregon, is move here debt free and have at least a year of savings.