Moving from Portland, OR to Cleveland, OH
Moving from Portland, OR to Cleveland, OH is a 2448 mi cross-country relocation β about 42h 40m 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.
2448 mi Β· 42h 40m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA 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 | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Cleveland is 10.9% cheaper than Portland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cleveland is 10.9% below Portland β $534,638 vs $115,537 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 33.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Portland (54.8Β°F) and Cleveland (52.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.18 |
Median household income in Cleveland is 10.9% below Portland ($88,792 vs $39,187, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
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
Is Cleveland more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 10.9% lower than Portland (93.923 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2448 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $534,638 in Portland β a 78.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2448 mi and the route typically takes 42h 40m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $88,792 in Portland β a 55.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Cleveland, OH.