Moving from Portland, OR to Elizabeth, NJ
A 2888 mi cross-country move between Portland and Elizabeth is 50h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 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.
2888 mi · 50h 54m by car · OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| 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
| Portland | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth runs about 6.8% more expensive overall than Portland — RPP 105.421 → 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Elizabeth ($534,667) sits close to Portland ($534,638) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.8°F vs 55.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 6.8% less than Portland at the median — $88,792 → $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 3.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Portland to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2888 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.8% higher than Portland (112.563 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2888 mi and the route typically takes 50h 54m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 54.8°F in Portland (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 44.1 in.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $88,792 in Portland — a 28.1% 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Elizabeth, NJ.