Moving From Simi Valley to Portland?

Portland is one of the out-of-state destinations Simi Valley home shoppers search most. If it's on your list, the move has two halves: selling your home here without surprises, and knowing what changes the day you become an Oregon resident.

Our free guide, Leaving California: The Seller's Game Plan, covers:

• The tax questions to answer first, and the list to bring your CPA
• A worksheet for your real walk-away number
• Three ways to time your sale with your Portland purchase
• How to sell from a distance if you've already moved
• A 90-day checklist for leaving the state

The California side: what to settle before you list

• Capital gains. If you owned and lived in the home for two of the last five years, the IRS generally lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most married couples filing jointly). That's IRS Publication 523.
• California can still tax the gain after you move. A California home is California-source income, so the state can tax the gain even if you already live in Oregon. Your CPA will want to see the numbers before you list, not after.
• The withholding form nobody warns you about. At closing, escrow may withhold 3⅓% of the sale price for the California Franchise Tax Board unless an exemption applies (Form 593). Selling your main home often qualifies for one. Ask early so it doesn't catch you by surprise.
• Timing. Sell first, buy first, or close both at once. We plan both moves together so you're not stuck in between.

What changes when you move to Oregon

• Income tax, but no sales tax. Oregon has a state income tax with rates from 4.75% to 9.9%, and no general sales tax. California can still tax income earned in California, including the gain on your California home.
• Portland-area local income taxes. Inside the Portland metro area, higher earners may also owe Metro's Supportive Housing Services tax, and Multnomah County residents may owe the Preschool for All tax, each above certain income levels. Ask your CPA how they apply to you.
• Property tax growth is limited. Under Oregon's Measure 50, the assessed value used for property tax generally can't rise more than 3% a year. Ask for the current tax statement on any home you consider.
• 30 days for your license and registration. Oregon says new residents must get an Oregon driver license and title and register their vehicles within 30 days. Check oregon.gov/odot/dmv for what to bring.
• Rain and older homes. Ask about the roof, gutters, drainage, and the age of the heating system, and visit in winter before you commit.

Questions people ask

Does Oregon have a sales tax?

No. Oregon has no general sales tax, but it does have a state income tax (4.75% to 9.9%), and the Portland area has local income taxes for higher earners.

How long do I have to get an Oregon driver license?

Oregon says new residents must get an Oregon license and title and register their vehicles within 30 days of becoming residents.

Can you sell my Simi Valley home if I've already moved to Portland?

Yes. We handle showings, vendors and updates here, and escrow can usually arrange for you to sign where you are.

Can you help me find an agent in Portland?

Yes. We'll help you connect with an experienced local agent there and coordinate both closings so the dates line up.

Is this tax advice?

No. We're Realtors, not CPAs. We explain the general rules and give you a real estimate of your sale price and selling costs to take to your tax professional.

Keep reading

• Leaving California? How to Sell Your Simi Valley Home and Time Your Move
• How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Simi Valley?
• Moving from Simi Valley to Las Vegas
• Moving from Simi Valley to Phoenix
• Moving from Simi Valley to Boise
• Moving from Simi Valley to Nashville
• Moving from Simi Valley to Dallas
• Moving from Simi Valley to Florida
• Moving from Simi Valley to San Diego
• Moving from Simi Valley to Bakersfield

Sources: Oregon Department of Revenue; Oregon DMV, New to Oregon; Metro and Multnomah County tax pages; Oregon Measure 50; IRS Publication 523; California Franchise Tax Board, Form 593. Rules change, so confirm details with the agency or your tax professional. Information current as of October 2026.