Moving from Portland, OR to Topeka, KS
A 1770 mi cross-country move between Portland and Topeka is 30h 10m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1770 mi Β· 30h 10m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Topeka at 88.82 vs Portland at 105.421.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $534,638 to $190,096 moving to Topeka.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 37.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Portland (54.8Β°F) and Topeka (54.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.32 |
Topeka households earn about 15.7% less than Portland at the median β $88,792 β $55,902 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $534,638 in Portland β a 64.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $88,792 in Portland β a 37.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Topeka, KS from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1770 mi and the route typically takes 30h 10m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Topeka more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 15.7% lower than Portland (88.82 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 113,350 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 Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Topeka, KS.