Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Sparks, NV
Relocating 557 mi from Hillsboro to Sparks is a 11h 33m drive through 3 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.
557 mi Β· 11h 33m by car Β· NV β CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | NV β CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 395, I 5, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Reno, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Portland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 123.478 | 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
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Hillsboro to Sparks β $522,557 vs $529,283 (2026-03).
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 8.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Sparks gets around 6.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.64 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.2% lower in Sparks than Hillsboro.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 557 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 1.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sparks more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 4.2% lower than Hillsboro (101.014 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sparks, NV from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 557 mi and the route typically takes 11h 33m via US 395 and I 5. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Sparks, NV.