Moving from Portland, OR to Cincinnati, OH
Moving from Portland, OR to Cincinnati, OH is a 2354 mi cross-country relocation β about 41h 4m of driving through 10 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.
2354 mi Β· 41h 4m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 95.37, putting Cincinnati roughly 9.5% below Portland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Cincinnati: 9.5% below Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 43.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Cincinnati is 9.5% below Portland ($88,792 vs $51,707, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 9.5% lower than Portland (95.37 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2354 mi and the route typically takes 41h 4m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $534,638 in Portland β a 53.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $88,792 in Portland β a 41.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2354 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Cincinnati, OH.