Key factors that impact the cost of your Huntsville to Portland movetoggle

The cost of Huntsville movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Huntsville to Portland (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,661, while larger moves may reach $14,163 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Huntsville.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $1,659 to $4,067, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Huntsville to Portland

Moving from Huntsville to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Huntsville than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Huntsville compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Huntsville Portland
Average rent cost $1,409 $1,530
Average home value $266,736 $522,596
Average income (per capita) $60,959 $85,876
Cost of living (single person) $3,133 $2,572
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,140 $6,077
Unemployment rate 3.1% 6.9%
Sales tax 9.0% 0.0%
State income tax 5.0% 9.9%
  • Rent prices in Portland are 9% higher than in Huntsville, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Huntsville.
    Home prices in Portland are 95.9% higher than in Huntsville.
  • Income in Portland is 40.9% higher than in Huntsville, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include KinderCare Learning Centers, Daimler Trucks North America, and Precision Castparts.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 17.9% lower than in Huntsville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 46.8% higher than in Huntsville.
  • The unemployment rate in Portland is 122.58% higher than in Huntsville.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Huntsville.
  • State income taxes in Portland are 98.00% higher than in Huntsville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,462.82 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Huntsville.

How life is different in Huntsville vs. Portland

Portland Huntsville
Population 652,503 241,114
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 2
Walkability score 81 24
Bike friendliness score 92 40
Crime Index 57.37 42.55
Safety Index 42.63 57.45
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Portland is about 171% greater than Huntsville, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Huntsville, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 2 in Huntsville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Portland means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Huntsville. Portland is considered more walkable than Huntsville, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 24 out of 100 in Huntsville. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Huntsville in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 out of 100, while Huntsville is rated as 40 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Huntsville, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 57.37 in Portland, it is 42.55 in Huntsville. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Portland. With a crime index of 42.63, Portland ranks lower in overall safety than Huntsville, whose index is Huntsville's 57.45. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
  • The air quality in Portland and Huntsville is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Huntsville vs. Portland move

  • Weather: Portland has cool and rainy winters and warm and dry summers. Portland also has overcast, wet, and changing weather conditions in fall, winter, and spring, Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rainy days,
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Oregon does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Portland. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Bridgetown", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • Northwest
  • Goose Hollow
  • Richmond
  • Pearl

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Forest Park
  • Hillsdale
  • Irvington
  • Sellwood-Moreland
  • Southwest Hills

Things to do in Portland

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in Oregon, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Portland has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Portland features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Maritime Museum, and World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Washington Park, Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, and Mount Tabor Park โ€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Portland Trailblazers (NBA), Portland Timbers (MLS), or Portland Thorns (NWSL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Portland?

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Huntsville to Portland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Huntsville are lower.

When is the cheapest time to move from Huntsville to Portland?

With many people choosing to move from Huntsville to Portland in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Huntsville to Portland take?

Moving from Huntsville, AL to Portland, OR covers 2,469 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days. Need to move faster? Some Huntsville movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Portland.

Helpful moving resources