Moving from Topeka, KS to Portland, OR
It is 1770 mi and 30h 10m from Topeka to Portland β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1770 mi Β· 30h 10m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Topeka | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.82 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.942 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.987 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $190,096 to $534,638 moving to Portland.
YoY change: Topeka -1.1%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Topeka | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.3" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Topeka (54.9Β°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: TOPEKA - NWS, KS US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Topeka | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $55,902 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.5% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.24 |
Expect median household income to rise 18.7% β $55,902 β $88,792 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Kansas 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.
- 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
- 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 household income compare in Topeka vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $55,902 in Topeka β a 58.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Topeka?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $190,096 in Topeka β a 181.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Portland more expensive than Topeka?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 18.7% higher than Topeka (105.421 vs 88.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Topeka?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $45,340 in the Topeka MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 113,350 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Topeka to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Portland, OR from Topeka, KS?
The driving distance is 1770 mi and the route typically takes 30h 10m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Topeka.
City profiles: Topeka, KS Β· Portland, OR.