Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Philadelphia, PA

It is 2878 mi and 50h 37m from Hillsboro to Philadelphia β€” a cross-country move across 10 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.

2878 mi Β· 50h 37m by car Β· PA β†’ OH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID β†’ OR

COL -2.7% Home values -55.6% Ξ” +5.2Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2878 mi
Drive time
50h 37m
States
10
Fuel (25 mpg)
115 gal
Route throughPA β†’ OH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID β†’ OR
Primary highwaysI 80, I 84, I 76
Major cities en routePittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

HillsboroPhiladelphiaU.S. avg
All items (RPP)105.421102.554100.0
Rents106.974114.389100.0
Goods105.22296.833100.0
Services125.114113.141100.0

Overall price level is comparable β€” 105.421 vs 102.554 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Hillsboro β€” typical home
$522,557
Philadelphia β€” typical home
$231,815
Hillsboro β€” typical rent
$1,881/mo
Philadelphia β€” typical rent
$1,758/mo

Expect roughly 2.7% lower home prices β€” ZHVI goes from $522,557 to $231,815 moving to Philadelphia.

YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsHillsboroPhiladelphia
Annual avg temperature53Β°F58Β°F
January avg low34Β°F28Β°F
July avg high82Β°F89Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”16.1"
Annual precipitation35.9"50.7"

Expect 5.2Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals β€” a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023HillsboroPhiladelphia
Population107,0501,582,432
Median household income$103,207$60,698
Median age34.835.1
Bachelor's degree or higher23.6%19.4%
Avg household size2.592.36

Expect median household income to fall 2.7% β€” $103,207 β†’ $60,698 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Hillsboro MSA β€” median wage
$55,940
Philadelphia MSA β€” median wage
$50,160
Hillsboro MSA β€” employment
1,206,150
Philadelphia MSA β€” employment
2,829,560

Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 352,560 $46,660
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 252,940 $41,710
Sales and Related Occupations 228,980 $36,650
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 223,850 $31,100
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 200,320 $86,620

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Oregon and Pennsylvania

Oregon income tax
9.9% top marginal
Pennsylvania income tax
3.07% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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 20–30% 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

  • The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
  • I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β€” check WYDOT 511 before departure.
  • 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.
  • Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
  • 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

  • Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β€” pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
  • Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β€” waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
  • 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Philadelphia?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2878 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 Philadelphia compared to Hillsboro?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β€” a 55.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Philadelphia more expensive than Hillsboro?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 2.7% lower than Hillsboro (102.554 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Philadelphia, PA from Hillsboro, OR?

The driving distance is 2878 mi and the route typically takes 50h 37m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Hillsboro?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Philadelphia?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β€” a 41.2% lower 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 Hillsboro.

City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Philadelphia, PA.

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