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Comment by dragonwriter | Hacker News Reader

> Between lower quality of life and some of the highest tax burdens in the US

Oregon isn't even in the top half of states by overall tax burden.

46.7% of the state's population is in the Portland metro area as of the last census. Multnomah County has the second highest tax burden in the country for top earners. If a new capital gains tax proposal is passed this year, it will have the highest. There are many reasons why the state lost population starting in 2022, but taxes are definitely one of them.

Oregon has the 31st highest tax burden of all states, across its whole population. Even if the tax burden is high for high earners, that’s not driving a significant population exodus because high earners aren’t a significant population to start with.

People who have the highest disposable income also have the most opportunity for mobility. It’s entirely possible that a disproportionate percentage of those moving away are people who care more about high property and income taxes vs. lack of a state sales tax.

Note that I said the decline is multi-factorial though. A significant part of it isn’t even outward migration, but excess deaths due to COVID combined with a low birth rate and a lack of inward migration. (Here again though, who do you think has the most opportunity to move to a new state and what kind of tax policy deters them?)

I would be considered a "high earner" according to Portland tax law. I recently moved. Portland originally was in my top 5 choice of cities to move to, but the tax liability deterred me from moving.

That is funny how people would like their governments/officials do something to tackle issues while at the same time trying to evade at all cost giving any money needed to actually do something.

I think you are making a generalized statement, but it is in response to a personal tidbit so the generalization feels personal. I'll just say, I don't think including taxation as a consideration when relocating is irresponsible or evasive.

One could argue that paying a lot of tax could be considered as wealth as you typically get something in return. It can be in different forms: better infrastructure, or a safety net / insurance from the government when something bad happen.

I feel a kind of duality when I look at the US from outside. People seems to be trying at all costs to avoid taxes but if someone get seriously hurt or have a serious disease one of the immediate response is to start a gofundme and ask to pass the word for charity and a lot of people are happy to donate. On one hand it is kind of touching to see that people are willing to donate for someone they sometimes barely know, on the other hand shouldn't everybody seek a society where everybody is happy to donate but nobody has to ask for charity from his community because gov takes care of that through that tax money.

I don't know if I am alone, maybe people will make fun of me for that but I am kind of proud of paying a lot of taxes. I know governments don't always take the best decisions, some money is sometimes plainly stolen or badly used and I may not agree with all decisions but I feel it is part of being a citizen and it makes me also more responsible and eager to vote and try to make a difference when I can.

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