Being disabled and retired, job is not big for me. However, if job is, check unemployment rates. Oregon is high, Texas is medium. As far as Taxes, I take sales tax over income tax. Sales taxes vary depending on what you buy, food little to no tax, so depending on your spending habits, it affects you differently. Income tax however is you make X amount and the government is going to take a percentage of it regardless.
Weather is only part of a choice for me. Politics and people make a big difference to me and can disqualify someplace that I might like for scenery or weather. When I first came to east Texas, some people waved when I drove by, even though they didn't know me. Good indication of Friendly people. How much the government is into my business definitely affects my choice.
Cost of living is high on my list also. I have a fixed income and the lower the cost of living, the more comfortable I can live. Costs such as housing can vary even in close proximity. In my county, two of the school districts are rated very high, so costs in those districts are higher than others, even in the same county. Property tax and school tax are separate here, so vary by district.
This does not affect me as much being a disabled veteran, I don't have to pay Property or School taxes in Texas. I also get to register 1 vehicle for free. Veterans benefits is another factor for me, maybe not for you.
What are utility/energy costs? Ours is pretty low on average, but then, we are the largest energy producing state. Again, location within the state can vary. Traveling between the two states, Oregon and Texas, on average, Oregon's gas prices are usually $.50-$1.00 more per gallon. Oklahoma actually seems to have about the lowest on average from my experience, you can probably look it up.
What activities do you like to do? Are they available in a particular location? If your into snow skiing, Texas ain't for you. Like scenic drives, ok, Oregon, or at least western Oregon has us beat hands down on that. So does Alaska and Colorado (yes, I love mountains). Tennessee has some beautiful scenery also.
Being a car guy, I take into account if the state requires DEQ in a particular location or not. My county has only visual checks and safety checks, not full DEQ. I'm not sure, but I think Oregon only requires it in certain counties also. Other states, I haven't looked into. Oklahoma doesn't have any vehicle inspections at all. Texas goes by federal standards, Oregon, like the whole west coast goes by California standards. Personally, I avoid so called "green" states.
So what do you want? Weather? Cost of living? Activities? Car friendly? My area doesn't really rate the highest in any of these categories, but does decent in most of them. The further west you go in Texas though, the lesser the scenery becomes. (unless of course you like deserts)
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