Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Sacramento, CA
The drive from Hillsboro, OR to Sacramento, CA runs 587 mi β about 11h 22m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
587 mi Β· 11h 22m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, OR 217 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Eugene, Salem, Gresham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sacramento and Hillsboro 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 Sacramento is 1.2% below Hillsboro ($479,766 vs $522,557 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 19.2" |
Climate warms by 10.9Β°F on the annual average β 52.5Β°F β 63.4Β°F.
Sacramento gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.63 |
Income steps down 1.2%: $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $83,753 in Sacramento.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 587 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 587 mi and the route typically takes 11h 22m via I 5 and OR 217. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 8.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 1.2% higher than Hillsboro (106.67 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Sacramento, CA.