Is Car Insurance Cheaper in California or Oregon?

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By Ross Martin

Updated December 11, 2024

Edited By Kristine Lee

Comparing auto insurance in California and Oregon

If you’re moving from California to Oregon, you may be focused on the big-picture concerns and major expenses: tracking down a reliable moving company, finding a new apartment or house in your new locale, and arranging your interstate move.

Amidst all this stress, it's easy to overlook some details. Car insurance is often just an afterthought, but it's important. To find a cheap rate and stay street legal, you’ll need to update your policy — or find a new insurance company — when you move between states.

Check out our guide to auto insurance in California vs. Oregon to learn more about how to make your move as easy as possible. We'll cover the following:

Insurance cost comparison
Rates by coverage level
Cheap companies by state
Rates in major cities
Additional resources

California vs. Oregon car insurance — average prices

You should expect to pay less for auto insurance once you relocate. The average annual auto insurance rate in Oregon is $439 cheaper than the average expense in California. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of car insurance company.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON

State	Average Annual Rate
California	$1,707
Oregon	$1,267

Average car insurance prices by coverage level

The cost of your an auto insurance policy depends on your chosen coverage level and how much protection you want from your insurer.

If you decide to go with state minimum coverage, you'll get bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS — MINIMUM COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. OREGON

State	Time Period	Premium
California	Annual	$573
Oregon	Annual	$639
California	6-Month	$286
Oregon	6-Month	$320
California	Monthly	$48
Oregon	Monthly	$53

Upgrading to full-coverage auto insurance will raise your costs, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverages, along with extras like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance protection. The primary benefit of full coverage car insurance is that it insures you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you want to do everything possible to protect your vehicle, consider full coverage.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS — FULL COVERAGE IN CALIFORNIA vs. OREGON

State	Period	Cost
California	Annual	$1,626
Oregon	Annual	$1,277
California	6-Month	$813
Oregon	6-Month	$638
California	Monthly	$135
Oregon	Monthly	$106

Cheap auto insurance companies in California and Oregon

A primary determinant of your auto insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Underwriters price rates in a number of ways, resulting in major price variations. Geography matters, too: some insurance companies sell policies only in certain places, while bigger insurance companies' rates differ by state.

When moving, you should look to locate the best cheap car insurance company in your new location. Get your research started below by viewing the five most affordable auto insurance companies in California and Oregon.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA

Insurer	Average Annual Rate
USAA	$1,132
Wawanesa	$1,169
Century National	$1,202
CSAA	$1,210
Nationwide	$1,238

See other affordable auto insurance companies in California.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN OREGON

Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Grange	$701
Oregon Mutual	$836
Country	$839
Travelers	$933
USAA	$960

See more cheap auto insurance companies in Oregon.

Car insurance rates by city in California and Oregon

Although car insurance is regulated at the state level, underwriters price rates by ZIP code to account for location-specific factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The specific location to which you relocate plays a major role in deciding your auto insurance rates.

Reference the below tables to see auto insurance rates in major cities in Oregon and California.

AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA

City	Average Annual Rate
Los Angeles	$2,125
San Diego	$1,354
San Jose	$1,409
San Francisco	$1,728
Fresno	$1,487

Check out a longer list of car insurance rates in California cities.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN OREGON

City	Average Annual Rate
Portland	$1,514
Eugene	$1,146
Salem	$1,333
Gresham	$1,590
Hillsboro	$1,366

Looking for a different city? View rates in smaller Oregon cities.

Additional resources: moving from California to Oregon

When you pack up and move from California to Oregon, you will face a new set of driving laws, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Make sure your interstate move runs smoothly with our collection of information on your new home:

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.

Car Insurance Comparison: California vs. Oregon

Ross Martin

Kristine Lee