($1,638) Movers From Billings, MT to Portland, OR

What to know before moving from Billings to Portland

Moving from Billings to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Billings, 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 18% higher than in Billings, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Billings.
  Home prices in Portland are 37.0% higher than in Billings.
• Income in Portland is 35.2% higher than in Billings, 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 45.1% higher than in Billings. 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 34.0% higher than in Billings.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 68.29% higher than in Billings.
• Sales taxes are the same in Portland and Billings.
• State income taxes in Portland are 46.67% higher than in Billings.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,351.95 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Billings.

How life is different in Billings vs. Portland

• The population of Portland is about 254% greater than Billings, 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 Billings, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Billings. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Portland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Billings. Portland is considered more walkable than Billings, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Billings. 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 Billings 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 Billings is rated as 47 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Billings, 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 48.63 in Billings. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Portland. With a crime index of 42.63, Portland ranks lower in overall safety than Billings, whose index is Billings's 50.37. 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 Billings 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 Billings 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