Moving from Portland, OR to Gilbert, AZ
Relocating 1365 mi from Portland to Gilbert is a 25h 25m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1365 mi Β· 25h 25m by car Β· OR β CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 10, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Gresham, Hillsboro, Salem, Eugene |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.0% above Portland β $534,638 β $572,507 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.0% β $88,792 β $121,351 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gilbert average 104Β°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 (16.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $534,638 in Portland β a 7.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Gilbert compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Gilbert, AZ from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1365 mi and the route typically takes 25h 25m via I 5 and I 10. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $88,792 in Portland β a 36.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1365 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Gilbert more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gilbert is 2.0% lower than Portland (103.316 vs 105.421, 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Gilbert, AZ.