Moving from Portland, OR to Brockton, MA
It is 3111 mi and 55h 15m from Portland to Brockton — a cross-country move across 13 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
3111 mi · 55h 15m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| 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
| Portland | Brockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.7% under Portland — $534,638 → $503,833 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Brockton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Brockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 34.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 50.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 34.3 in of snowfall annually at Brockton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, BROCKTON, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Brockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 105,080 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $77,089 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 14.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.95 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% lower in Brockton than Portland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Brockton averages 34.3 in annually vs 3.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Brockton averages 50.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Portland vs Brockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,089 in Brockton vs $88,792 in Portland — a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brockton compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $503,833 in Brockton vs $534,638 in Portland — a 5.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Brockton more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brockton is 2.7% higher than Portland (108.266 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Brockton, MA from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 3111 mi and the route typically takes 55h 15m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 13 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Brockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Brockton vs 54.8°F in Portland (3.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 34.3 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 50.2 in vs 44.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Brockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Brockton, MA.