($1,570) Movers From Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR

What to know before moving from Baltimore to Portland

Moving from Baltimore to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Baltimore, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 4% lower than in Baltimore, 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 Baltimore.
  Home prices in Portland are 189.1% higher than in Baltimore.
• Income in Portland is 47.2% higher than in Baltimore, 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.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 15.7% higher than in Baltimore. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’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 19.4% higher than in Baltimore.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 12.66% lower than in Baltimore.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Baltimore.
• State income taxes in Portland are 72.17% higher than in Baltimore.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,470.99 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Baltimore.

How life is different in Baltimore vs. Portland

• The population of Portland is about 11% greater than Baltimore, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Portland will be about the same as it currently is in Baltimore. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Baltimore. Portland is considered more walkable than Baltimore, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 64 out of 100 in Baltimore. 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore is rated as 53 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Baltimore based on scores of 57.37 and Baltimore's 72.72, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Baltimore, based on Portland’s safety index of 42.63 versus 27.28 for Baltimore. 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Oregon moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Oregon doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Portland. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Portland

Ready to relocate to "Bridgetown"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources