($1,432) Movers From Chicago, IL to Portland, OR

What to know before moving from Chicago to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 25% lower than in Chicago, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Portland are 76.7% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Portland is 20.0% higher than in Chicago, 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 29.5% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 34.4% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 23.33% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.
• State income taxes in Portland are 100.00% higher than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,115.13 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 76% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Portland has a public transportation score of 8 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chicago. Portland is considered more walkable than Chicago, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 77 out of 100 in Chicago. A city’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 Chicago 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 Chicago is rated as 72 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Chicago, 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 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Chicago, based on Portland’s safety index of 42.63 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Portland and Chicago 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 Chicago 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.

Helpful moving resources