BobWiley

I've searched the threads for details about the specific commute, looking for more info about what it is like to live out there. Where to live, weather, really anything that you think would be helpful. PM if you want.
Is the no sales tax (Washington)/ No sales tax (Oregon) game really worth trying to play?

I love the outdoors and debating between Portland area & Outside Sacramento (for a commute to SFO)

Thanks in advance

-Bob

Silver02ex

Depends on your income. No sales tax in Oregon you have about a 9% state income tax. So if you have a high income but don't spend a-lot of money. Washington tax would benefit you more. Since you have no state income but not spending much on sales tax. The further out from Portland you go the cheaper, east of Portland is cheaper than the west side, since this is due to Nike and Intel employees wanting to be close to Portland / Beaverton / Hillsboro. Traffic is horrible either direction on highway 26 or 84 and rush hour will last 6:30 - 9 and 3pm - 7pm. As far as weather, you actually have seasons, but it can get to 100 degrees in Portland and in the valley (very rare and a few days a year). If that bothers you, head over to the coast and it will be about 20 degrees cooler. I know many PDX commuter to and from LA and SFO and they say there's lots of flights but also many commuters making that commute.

Name User

At our income levels live on the WA state side unless you just want to throw money away.

9%? Jesus. For my family that is roughly $25k a year in just state income tax...why in the world would anyone live there?!?

BobWiley

Thanks for your responses!
Do you guys shop in Oregon? Or do they just charge more to compensate for no sales tax?
Where do the pilots with families live?

Sputnik

Where to shop is a matter of personal choice, realizing the bridges suck. Prices are same either side, one has 7ish percent tax one has 0.

9 percent is no joke (and primary reason my in laws just moves to Vegas) but as someone mentioned you have to look at total tax. Zero sales tax adds up.

If you want to be closer to Oregon, Camas/East side of Vancouver seems popular. If not, fair number of pilots in Battleground.

I will say, if you dig Portland and thats the vibe you want, you will not get it on the Washigton side (for better or worse). Traffic situation makes going to Portland a considered decision.

Name User

Assuming income of $200k 9% gives you $18k in income tax.

To "save" the equivalent in sales tax at 7% you'd have to actually spend $257,000 in taxed goods.

Going on my own families purchase history we spend maybe $8k a year on taxed goods...if that.

Living in a no income tax state for high earners is by far the better deal. Also property is less expensive on the Vancouver side and prop taxes are about the same or less, and an added bonus is schools are better.

I honestly can't see any good reason to live in OR unless you are lower income.

Ray Red

There are a lot of pilots that live in Camas. Basically East East Vancouver. Good schools if you have kids. Housing in the WA side is generally cheaper than the OR side.

As far as shopping, I do most of it in WA. For bigger ticket items I’ll go across the river to save the tax, but to save $8 in sales tax I’m not going to spend the gas money and risk getting stuck in traffic on the way home. There are all the major stores (HD, Costco, Best Buy, Target) close to the employee lot.

Tons of outdoor stuff to do as well. Hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing. Beach is 2 hours away.

Silver02ex

It’s not a straight 9% of your gross. You have deductions along with child credit and so on, similar to federal. You have to wait til the end of the year to see what you pay percentages wise. I can tell you it’s not close to 9%. of your gross