Moving from Portland, OR to Richardson, TX
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR β Richardson, TX cover 2015 mi and about 35h 33m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2015 mi Β· 35h 33m 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 | Richardson | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Richardson and Portland is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richardson is 2.2% below Portland ($440,400 vs $534,638 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 41.9" |
Climate warms by 11.0Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 65.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 2.2%: $88,792 in Portland vs $96,257 in Richardson.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 (11.0Β°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 far is Richardson, TX from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2015 mi and the route typically takes 35h 33m via I 84 and US 287. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $88,792 in Portland β a 8.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $534,638 in Portland β a 17.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2015 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
Is Richardson more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 2.2% lower than Portland (103.09 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Richardson, TX.