Moving from Portland, OR to Wichita, KS
Moving from Portland, OR to Wichita, KS is a 1750 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 50m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1750 mi · 29h 50m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → CO → 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 | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Wichita are 15.6% 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
Housing gap is large: Wichita typical home at $202,720 is 15.6% under Portland at $534,638 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 34.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.8°F vs 57.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Wichita sees 12.7 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, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.52 |
Median household income in Wichita is 15.6% below Portland ($88,792 vs $63,072, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
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 — 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — 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 does household income compare in Portland vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $88,792 in Portland — a 29.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 54.8°F in Portland (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 44.1 in.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Wichita, KS from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1750 mi and the route typically takes 29h 50m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $534,638 in Portland — a 62.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Wichita more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 15.6% lower than Portland (88.946 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Wichita, KS.