Moving from Portland, OR to Brownsville, TX
Moving from Portland, OR to Brownsville, TX is a 2337 mi cross-country relocation β about 42h 38m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2337 mi Β· 42h 38m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β CO β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 84 |
| 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 | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Brownsville are 18.4% below Portland β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Brownsville typical home at $195,993 is 18.4% under Portland at $534,638 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | β |
NOAA normals show Brownsville running 19.6Β°F above Portland on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 3.21 |
Median household income in Brownsville is 18.4% below Portland ($88,792 vs $48,675, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- 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.
- 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (19.6Β°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 the job market in Brownsville compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $534,638 in Portland β a 63.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $88,792 in Portland β a 45.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2337 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 18.4% lower than Portland (85.975 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2337 mi and the route typically takes 42h 38m via I 84 and US 30. 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Brownsville, TX.