Things to know before moving from Tennessee to Portland, OR

Cost of living: Tennessee vs Portland, OR

Tennessee Portland
Average rent cost $1,047 $1,530
Average home value $319,208 $522,596
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $85,876
Unemployment rate 3% 7%
State income tax 0% 10%
  • Rent is about 46% more expensive in Portland than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 64% higher in Portland than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 34% higher in Portland than in Tennessee.
  • Portland has a higher unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 109%.
  • Income taxes are 10% higher in Portland than in Tennessee.

How life is different in Portland from Tennessee

Portland Tennessee
Population 652,503 7,126,489
Political leaning Republican 49-48 Republican 64-36
Summer high 81ºF 88ºF
Winter low 36ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 43" 53"
Annual snow 3" 5"
Crime index 57.37 29.24
  • The population of Portland is approximately 91% lower than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, Portland voted Republican and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Portland is 81ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Portland reaches the temperature of 36ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Portland vs 53 inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In Portland, it snows about 3 inches annually vs 5 inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • Portland has a higher crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 57.37 vs 29.24.

Things to do in Portland

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Portland.

Museums in Portlandtoggle

  • Portland Art Museum
  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
  • Oregon Historical Society
  • Oregon Maritime Museum
  • World Forestry Center - Discovery Museum
  • Freakybuttrue Peculiarium
  • Real Life Exhibit Portland
  • The Hat Museum
  • Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
  • Oregon Jewish Museum and Center For Holocaust Education
  • Wells Fargo Museum
  • Portland Puppet Museum
  • Portland Police Museum
  • Portland Chinatown Museum
  • Movie Madness Video and More

Parks in Portlandtoggle

  • Washington Park
  • Forest Park
  • Hoyt Arboretum
  • Mount Tabor Park
  • Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
  • Peninsula Park and Rose Gardens
  • Council Crest Park
  • Laurelhurst Park
  • Cathedral Park
  • Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  • Macleay Park
  • Rose Garden Children's Park
  • Mill Ends Park
  • Ira Keller Fountain Park
  • Japanese American Historical Plaza

Sports Teams in Portlandtoggle

  • Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
  • Portland Timbers (MLS)
  • Portland Thorns (NWSL)

Universities in Portlandtoggle

  • Portland State University
  • Oregon Health & Science University
  • Reed College
  • University of Portland
  • Lewis & Clark College
  • Portland, Concordia University
  • Portland Bible College
  • Multnomah University

Other considerations when moving to Portland, OR

  • 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Oregon does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Oregon. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Tennessee to Portland take?

The time frame for a move from Tennessee to Portland, OR, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Tennessee, the longer the drive time to Portland will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Portland from Tennessee can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Tennessee to Portland?

Because of the 2405-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Tennessee to Portland as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Portland, OR?

With the summer highs of 81ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF, most people move to Portland from Tennessee during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Portland during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources