Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Tuscaloosa, AL
Cross-country relocations like Hillsboro, OR β Tuscaloosa, AL cover 2570 mi and about 44h 37m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2570 mi Β· 44h 37m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Tuscaloosa is 16.8% cheaper than Hillsboro overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tuscaloosa is 16.8% below Hillsboro β $522,557 vs $228,947 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 57.3" |
Climate warms by 11.8Β°F on the annual average β 52.5Β°F β 64.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.8% between Hillsboro and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
- 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.
- 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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 16.8% lower than Hillsboro (87.722 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2570 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 Tuscaloosa compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 56.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 2570 mi and the route typically takes 44h 37m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 53.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.