($1,737) Movers From Portland, OR to Oklahoma City, OK

What to know before moving from Portland to Oklahoma City

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

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

• Rent prices in Oklahoma City are 18% lower than in Portland, 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 Oklahoma City.
  Home prices in Oklahoma City are 62.5% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Oklahoma City is 25.2% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Oklahoma City include Hobby Lobby, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, and Accord Human Resources.
• The cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 16.4% lower than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Oklahoma City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 7.3% higher than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 36.23% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oklahoma City, since the city’s sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 8.63% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Oklahoma City is paying less in state income taxes, which are 52.02% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,507.78 in Oklahoma City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Oklahoma City

• The population of Oklahoma City is about 4% greater than Portland, 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.
• Getting around Oklahoma City without a car might be more difficult than in Portland. Oklahoma City has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Portland is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Oklahoma City neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Portland. Based on its score of 73 out of 100, Oklahoma City isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 81 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Oklahoma City, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 out of 100, Oklahoma City earned a 74. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Oklahoma City has a lower crime rate than Portland based on scores of 49.37 and Portland's 57.37, 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 Oklahoma City than in Portland, based on Oklahoma City’s safety index of 50.63 versus 42.63 for Portland. 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 Oklahoma City and Portland 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 Portland vs. Oklahoma City move

• Weather: Oklahoma City has very hot, humid summers, and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in the vicinity), as well as very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding, occur with some regularity. Oklahoma City is also located in tornado alley. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
• HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Oklahoma moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Oklahoma, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toOklahoma City Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. 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. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Oklahoma City

Now that you’ve chosen "OKC" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Oklahoma City to check out.

Helpful moving resources