[01100011]

Oregon ticks most of those boxes except the difference is that Oregon has very few jobs. People flock to WA because of jobs created by long-standing business friendly policies.

That doesn't explain everything, obviously, but I think you need to take it into consideration. For decades I've heard this in some form from people: "Oregon is amazing, but I had to leave when I couldn't get a job." Meanwhile the Sea-Tac region has had amazing growth, packed wall-to-wall with a range of companies.

[HEmanZ]

I agree, difference between explosive growth and “consistent draw” is large employers setting up in the region.

Another interesting anecdote is that I know many people who work remote for companies all over the world who moved to the Seattle area once they had a remote job. I am one of these people who moved once I got a remote job. Im not sure what kind of impact this has long run. I think the flywheel drawing high skill people to Seattle is still very strong.

[BeetleB]

Oregon is on the other end of the continuum when it comes to income taxes ;-)

If you're not too high an income earner, the Oregon income tax is worse than California's.

And no, Washington's sales tax doesn't come close to the Oregon income tax.

[rendang]

Weather is worse in the Portland area, can be a good few degrees warmer than Seattle in the summer