Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Portland, OR
A move from Salt Lake City, UT to Portland, OR covers 764 mi and around 13h 14m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
764 mi · 13h 14m 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, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Portland and Salt Lake City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Portland is 4.5% below Salt Lake City ($534,638 vs $573,181 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8°F) and Portland (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 33 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Portland is 4.5% above Salt Lake City ($74,925 → $88,792, 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
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 6.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 17.7 in.
Is Portland more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 4.5% higher than Salt Lake City (105.421 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 764 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Portland, OR from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 764 mi and the route typically takes 13h 14m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 18.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 803,800 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Portland, OR.