Moving from Overland Park, KS to Portland, OR
A 1813 mi cross-country move between Overland Park and Portland is 31h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1813 mi · 31h 1m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Portland runs about 13.9% more expensive overall than Overland Park — RPP 92.543 → 105.421.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Portland run about 13.9% pricier — ZHVI $482,295 → $534,638 (2026-03).
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 44.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 54.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.24 |
Households in Portland earn about 13.9% less at the median — 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 Kansas 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 — 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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 — check WYDOT 511 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 — 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 Overland Park vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 1813 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Portland, OR from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1813 mi and the route typically takes 31h 1m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 10.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 in vs 40.7 in.
Is Portland more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 13.9% higher than Overland Park (105.421 vs 92.543, 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 Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Portland, OR.