Moving from Portland, OR to Allen, TX
A 2020 mi cross-country move between Portland and Allen is 35h 37m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
2020 mi Β· 35h 37m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 287, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 117.874 | 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 comes in 2.2% under Portland β $534,638 β $493,532 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 10.2Β°F moving to Allen per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.97 |
Allen households earn about 2.2% more than Portland at the median β $88,792 β $129,130 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Portland vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $88,792 in Portland β a 45.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2020 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Allen, TX from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2020 mi and the route typically takes 35h 37m via I 84 and US 287. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Allen more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 2.2% lower than Portland (103.09 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $534,638 in Portland β a 7.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Allen, TX.