Moving from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR
It is a 175 mi drive, roughly 3h 31m, between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
175 mi · 3h 31m by car · WA → OR
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, OR 99E |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Tacoma |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.1% cheaper overall in Portland than Seattle on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 44.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Portland gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.24 |
Portland households earn about 5.1% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $88,792 on 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter 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 Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 38.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 53.2°F in Seattle (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 37.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 175 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Portland more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 5.1% lower than Seattle (105.421 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Portland, OR from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 175 mi and the route typically takes 3h 31m via I 5 and OR 99E. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 27.2% lower 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Portland, OR.