Moving from Centennial, CO to Portland, OR
A move from Centennial, CO to Portland, OR covers 1255 mi and around 21h 39m of driving through 6 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.
1255 mi Β· 21h 39m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Portland and Centennial is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Portland is 0.3% below Centennial ($534,638 vs $649,086 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°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: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Portland is 0.3% below Centennial ($128,167 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 Colorado 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.
- 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 Centennial vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 30.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Portland, OR from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1255 mi and the route typically takes 21h 39m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 17.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Portland more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 0.3% lower than Centennial (105.421 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Portland, OR.