($1,648) Movers From Charleston, SC to Portland, OR

What to know before moving from Charleston to Portland

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

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

• Rent prices in Portland are 39% lower than in Charleston, 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 Portland.
  Home prices in Portland are 6.6% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in Portland is 37.9% higher than in Charleston, 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 51.5% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Portland is 23.0% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 72.50% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Charleston.
• State income taxes in Portland are 41.43% higher than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,455.85 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Portland

• The population of Portland is about 334% greater than Charleston, 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 Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. 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 Charleston. Portland is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Portland is higher than in Charleston, 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 44.97 in Charleston. 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 Charleston, whose index is Charleston's 55.03. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Oregon, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Oregon doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Portland without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Portland

With your sights set on "Bridgetown", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Portland.

Helpful moving resources