Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Portland, OR
The drive from Hillsboro to Portland covers 18 mi in about 33 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
18 mi · 33 min by car · OR
Distance & route
| Route through | OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 26, US 30, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Gresham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Portland and Hillsboro is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Hillsboro and Portland are within 5% of each other ($522,557 vs $534,638 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hillsboro | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 44.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Hillsboro (52.5°F) and Portland (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Portland averages 3.6 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.24 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $88,792 in Portland.
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.
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
- 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
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades — 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $522,557 in Hillsboro — a 2.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 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 Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $103,207 in Hillsboro — a 14.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Portland, OR from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 18 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via US 26 and US 30. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 18 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR · Portland, OR.