Moving from Provo, UT to Portland, OR
The drive from Provo, UT to Portland, OR runs 809 mi — about 14h 4m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
809 mi · 14h 4m by car · OR → ID → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.3% pricier overall in Portland than Provo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 7.3% higher in Portland than Provo as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 44.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.6°F vs 54.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.24 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.3% between Provo and Portland (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades — register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Provo and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 54.6°F in Provo (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 17.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 809 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Portland, OR from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 809 mi and the route typically takes 14h 4m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $484,203 in Provo — a 10.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Portland more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 7.3% higher than Provo (105.421 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $62,800 in Provo — a 41.4% higher 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Portland, OR.