Moving from Boulder, CO to Gresham, OR
Relocating 1220 mi from Boulder to Gresham is a 21h 1m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1220 mi Β· 21h 1m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Portland, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Gresham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Gresham -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 112,818 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $73,608 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.2% lower in Gresham than Boulder.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gresham 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 Colorado 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 β 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
How far is Gresham, OR from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1220 mi and the route typically takes 21h 1m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Gresham more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gresham is 0.2% higher than Boulder (105.421 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Gresham compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $471,181 in Gresham vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 51.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Gresham compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Gresham MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Gresham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,608 in Gresham vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 13.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Gresham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1220 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Gresham, OR.