Moving from Independence, MO to Gresham, OR
Cross-country relocations like Independence, MO β Gresham, OR cover 1797 mi and about 30h 58m of driving through 7 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.
1797 mi Β· 30h 58m by car Β· MO β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Gresham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.9% pricier overall in Gresham than Independence on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Gresham typical home at $471,181 is 13.9% above Independence at $208,158 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Gresham -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Independence | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 40.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.0Β°F vs 54.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 112,818 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $73,608 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.9% between Independence and Gresham (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gresham 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 Missouri 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 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 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.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 β 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
Is Gresham more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gresham is 13.9% higher than Independence (105.421 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Gresham compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Gresham MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Independence to Gresham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1797 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 Gresham compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $471,181 in Gresham vs $208,158 in Independence β a 126.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Gresham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,608 in Gresham vs $59,480 in Independence β a 23.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Gresham, OR from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 1797 mi and the route typically takes 30h 58m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 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 Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO Β· Gresham, OR.