Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Portland, OR
A 2891 mi cross-country move between Jersey City and Portland is 50h 55m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2891 mi Β· 50h 55m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Portland at 105.421 vs Jersey City at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 6.3% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jersey City | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Jersey City (54.8Β°F) and Portland (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.24 |
Households in Portland earn about 6.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland 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 New Jersey 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $658,269 in Jersey City β a 18.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Portland, OR from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 2891 mi and the route typically takes 50h 55m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2891 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $94,813 in Jersey City β a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Portland more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 6.3% lower than Jersey City (105.421 vs 112.563, 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 Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ Β· Portland, OR.