Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR
Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR is a 1903 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 44m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1903 mi Β· 32h 44m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 105.421 in Portland, a 18.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Portland: 18.5% above Cedar Rapids on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 44.1" |
Portland runs 6.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.3Β°F vs 54.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Portland gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Portland is 18.5% above Cedar Rapids ($67,859 vs $88,792, ACS 5-year 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 Iowa 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.
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 far is Portland, OR from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1903 mi and the route typically takes 32h 44m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Portland more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 18.5% higher than Cedar Rapids (105.421 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 30.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 161.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1903 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Portland, OR.