Moving from Portland, OR to Tuscaloosa, AL
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR β Tuscaloosa, AL cover 2554 mi and about 44h 9m of driving through 11 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.
2554 mi Β· 44h 9m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 87.722, putting Tuscaloosa roughly 16.8% 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 Tuscaloosa: 16.8% below Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 57.3" |
Climate warms by 9.5Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 64.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.8% between Portland and Tuscaloosa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Portland vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $88,792 in Portland β a 45.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2554 mi and the route typically takes 44h 9m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $534,638 in Portland β a 57.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2554 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 Tuscaloosa compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 16.8% lower than Portland (87.722 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.