Moving from Portland, OR to Tempe, AZ
It is 1346 mi between Portland and Tempe — roughly 25h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1346 mi · 25h 3m by car · OR → CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → CA → 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 | Tempe | 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 price level is comparable — 105.421 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 8.8" |
Expect 17.0°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Tempe 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, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.42 |
Households in Tempe earn about 2.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe 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.
- 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 Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 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 (17.0°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 does household income compare in Portland vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $88,792 in Portland — a 12.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1346 mi and the route typically takes 25h 3m via I 5 and I 10. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $534,638 in Portland — a 12.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1346 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tempe more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 2.0% lower than Portland (103.316 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 54.8°F in Portland (17.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 44.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Tempe, AZ.