Moving from Portland, OR to Provo, UT
A move from Portland, OR to Provo, UT covers 809 mi and around 14h 4m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
809 mi · 14h 4m by car · OR → ID → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Provo are 6.8% below Portland — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.8% lower in Provo than Portland as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 17.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.8°F vs 54.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Provo sees 44.9 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, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 3.35 |
Median household income in Provo is 6.8% below Portland ($88,792 vs $62,800, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Provo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,750 | $38,840 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,860 | $36,930 |
| Management Occupations | 24,030 | $105,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,860 | $29,550 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,880 | $63,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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.
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 — Provo averages 44.9 in annually vs 3.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Provo compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Provo, UT from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 809 mi and the route typically takes 14h 4m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 809 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $534,638 in Portland — a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Provo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.6°F in Provo vs 54.8°F in Portland (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.9 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 17.2 in vs 44.1 in.
Is Provo more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 6.8% lower than Portland (98.232 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $88,792 in Portland — a 29.3% 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 · Provo, UT.