($1,614) Movers From Memphis, TN to Portland, OR

What to know before moving from Memphis to Portland

Moving from Memphis to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Memphis, 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 Memphis, 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 Memphis.
  Home prices in Portland are 263.6% higher than in Memphis.
• Income in Portland is 78.6% higher than in Memphis, 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 39.6% higher than in Memphis. 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 38.1% higher than in Memphis.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 13.75% lower than in Memphis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 100.00% lower than in Memphis.
• State income taxes in Portland are 9.90% higher than in Memphis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,188.93 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Memphis.

How life is different in Memphis vs. Portland

• Portland and Memphis have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Oregon easier.
• Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Memphis, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 4 in Memphis. 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 Memphis. Portland is considered more walkable than Memphis, with a score of 81 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Memphis. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis is rated as 41 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Memphis based on scores of 57.37 and Memphis's 77.49, 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 Memphis, based on Portland’s safety index of 42.63 versus 22.51 for Memphis. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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