Moving from Gresham, OR to Sacramento, CA
Relocating 593 mi from Gresham to Sacramento is a 11h 32m drive through 2 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.
593 mi Β· 11h 32m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 205, US 26 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Eugene, Salem, Hillsboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Gresham and Sacramento sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Sacramento ($479,766) sits close to Gresham ($471,181) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 19.2" |
Expect 8.7Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.63 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.2% higher in Sacramento than Gresham.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 13.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 593 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 1.2% higher than Gresham (106.67 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 1.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 593 mi and the route typically takes 11h 32m via I 5 and I 205. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,206,150 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Sacramento, CA.