Population change in a state is one factor that influences housing prices. After all, house prices are a fundamental supply and demand situation. Inward migration tends to create more demand and push up prices.
Oregon is projected to increase in population for the fiscal year 2008 by 1.8% to about 3.8 Mm people. Contrast this to California, which will lose 144,000 people. As most Oregonians know, we’re one likely stop for our southern neighbors. Strong growth is projected for the Portland area. Lane County will grow by about 2,700 people to 346,000.

California: A good place to be from?