Moving from Salem, OR to Carrollton, TX
A 2051 mi cross-country move between Salem and Carrollton is 36h 17m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2051 mi Β· 36h 17m 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, Portland, Vancouver, Gresham, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Salem and Carrollton sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Carrollton run about 0.5% cheaper β ZHVI $436,318 β $406,040 (2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature rises 11.7Β°F moving to Carrollton per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.6 |
Carrollton households earn about 0.5% more than Salem at the median β $71,900 β $99,115 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton 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 Carrollton 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 (11.7Β°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 much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $436,318 in Salem β a 6.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $71,900 in Salem β a 37.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2051 mi and the route typically takes 36h 17m via I 84 and US 287. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 0.5% lower than Salem (103.09 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2051 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 Carrollton compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Carrollton, TX.