Moving from Gresham, OR to Palmdale, CA
A move from Gresham, OR to Palmdale, CA covers 965 mi and around 18h 26m of driving through 2 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.
965 mi Β· 18h 26m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 138, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Glendale, Pasadena, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.7% pricier overall in Palmdale than Gresham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 7.7% higher in Palmdale than Gresham as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 7.3" |
Palmdale runs 8.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (54.7Β°F vs 63.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Palmdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 7.7% above Gresham ($73,608 β $81,151, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Palmdale, CA from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 965 mi and the route typically takes 18h 26m via I 5 and CA 138. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 965 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 6.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 10.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 7.7% higher than Gresham (113.566 vs 105.421, 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Palmdale, CA.