Moving from Portland, OR to Santa Rosa, CA
A move from Portland, OR to Santa Rosa, CA covers 613 mi and around 12h 20m of driving through 2 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.
613 mi · 12h 20m by car · OR → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, OR 99, US 30 |
| 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 | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Portland (105.421) and Santa Rosa (107.784) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Santa Rosa: 2.2% above Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 31.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Rosa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Santa Rosa is 2.2% above Portland ($88,792 → $97,410, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $534,638 in Portland — a 34.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 613 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 2.2% higher than Portland (107.784 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 54.8°F in Portland (4.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 44.1 in.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $88,792 in Portland — a 9.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 613 mi and the route typically takes 12h 20m via I 5 and OR 99. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Santa Rosa, CA.