Moving from Brockton, MA to Portland, OR
A 3111 mi cross-country move between Brockton and Portland is 55h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 13 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
3111 mi · 55h 15m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brockton | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.266 vs 105.421 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.6% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Brockton +1.4%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brockton | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.3" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.2" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Brockton (51.4°F) and Portland (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BROCKTON, MA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brockton | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $77,089 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.6% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.95 | 2.24 |
Households in Portland earn about 2.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Massachusetts 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.
- 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 — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Brockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $503,833 in Brockton — a 6.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brockton vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $77,089 in Brockton — a 15.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Portland more expensive than Brockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 2.6% lower than Brockton (105.421 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Portland, OR from Brockton, MA?
The driving distance is 3111 mi and the route typically takes 55h 15m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Brockton 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 3111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Brockton and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 51.4°F in Brockton (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 34.3 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 50.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brockton.
City profiles: Brockton, MA · Portland, OR.