Moving from Portland, OR to Peoria, AZ
The drive from Portland, OR to Peoria, AZ runs 1249 mi — about 24h 47m 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.
1249 mi · 24h 47m by car · OR → NV → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → NV → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 95, US 93, US 26 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Peoria | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Peoria and Portland is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 2.0% below Portland ($488,596 vs $534,638 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 9.6" |
Peoria runs 15.4°F warmer on the annual average (54.8°F vs 70.2°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Peoria gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 2.0%: $88,792 in Portland vs $93,403 in Peoria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria 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 — 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.4°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 far is Peoria, AZ from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1249 mi and the route typically takes 24h 47m via US 95 and US 93. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria 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.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1249 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 54.8°F in Portland (15.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 44.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $534,638 in Portland — a 8.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $88,792 in Portland — a 5.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria 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 · Peoria, AZ.