Moving from Portland, OR to Mobile, AL
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR β Mobile, AL cover 2640 mi and about 46h 29m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2640 mi Β· 46h 29m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Mobile is 16.4% cheaper than Portland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Mobile is 16.4% below Portland β $534,638 vs $194,564 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 60.5" |
Climate warms by 14.3Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 69.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.4% between Portland and Mobile (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
- 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 β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Portland vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $88,792 in Portland β a 42.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Mobile, AL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2640 mi and the route typically takes 46h 29m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $534,638 in Portland β a 63.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mobile more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 16.4% lower than Portland (88.098 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· Mobile, AL.