Moving from Gresham, OR to Chattanooga, TN
A 2478 mi cross-country move between Gresham and Chattanooga is 43h 35m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2478 mi Β· 43h 35m by car Β· TN β GA β KY β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β KY β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.2% moving from Gresham to Chattanooga β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $471,181 in Gresham to $319,579 in Chattanooga, a 13.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 55.0" |
Annual temperature rises 7.2Β°F moving to Chattanooga per NOAA normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.35 |
Households in Chattanooga earn about 13.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 2478 mi and the route typically takes 43h 35m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 32.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 17.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 13.2% lower than Gresham (91.464 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Chattanooga, TN.