Moving from Bellevue, WA to Portland, OR
Relocating between Bellevue, WA and Portland, OR is a 176 mi drive — 3h 33m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
176 mi · 3h 33m by car · OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 30, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Gresham, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Tacoma, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.1% cheaper overall in Portland than Bellevue on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 44.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Portland gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.24 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.1% — $161,300 → $88,792 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades — register for county emergency alerts.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 176 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Portland more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 5.1% lower than Bellevue (105.421 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 45.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Portland, OR from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 176 mi and the route typically takes 3h 33m via I 5 and US 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 64.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 37.8 in.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Portland, OR.