Moving from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Portland, OR covers 141 mi and about 2h 48m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
141 mi Β· 2h 48m by car Β· OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, US 30, WA 16 |
| Major cities en route | Gresham, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
Portland is 5.1% cheaper than Tacoma overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Portland is 5.1% above Tacoma ($534,638 vs $493,840 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Tacoma (53.7Β°F) and Portland (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Portland is 5.1% above Tacoma ($83,857 β $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 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 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.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 β 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 does the job market in Portland compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 8.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Portland more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 5.1% lower than Tacoma (105.421 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Portland, OR from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 141 mi and the route typically takes 2h 48m via I 5 and US 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 141 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 5.9% 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Portland, OR.