Moving from Houston, TX, to Portland, OR

Change your outlook from Space City to Rose City

Preparing for a 2,240-mile move from Houston to Portland, Oregon, can be nerve-wracking if you’re unprepared for the change.  

Portland is the most populous city in Oregon but is still much smaller than Houston. Portland has around 653,000 residents and over 2.5 million in the metro, while Houston has over 2.3 million within the city limits and 7.1 million in the metro.  

Despite the much higher population in Houston, or “Space City,” its population density is lower than Portland’s. That means you might feel a bit more crowded in Portland, or “Rose City,” than in your previous hometown. 

Anticipate cooler weather in Portland

You can expect cooler year-round weather in Portland than what you’re used to in Houston. In Portland, the yearly temperature typically stays between 36 and 81 degrees, compared to a range of 43 to 93 degrees in Houston. 

Snowfall is rare in Houston, but Portland typically gets about 3 inches yearly. Despite being known as a rainy city, with 43 inches of annual rainfall, Houston gets more rain — 53 inches on average. 

Portland trivia

Learn more about your new town with these interesting facts about Portland: 

• Mill End’s Park in Portland is the smallest in the world 
• Mount Tabor in Portland is an extinct volcano 
• Portland’s name was chosen with the flip of a coin (it could have been named Boston) 
• Powell’s City of Books in Portland is the largest independent bookstore in the world 
• The city celebrates the World Naked Bike Ride every year 

The cost of living is higher in Portland

The cost of living in Portland is higher than what you’re used to in Houston. Fortunately, the city has higher salaries and low unemployment rates.  

Tech industry jobs are popular in Portland, with the Intel Corporation’s multiple campuses in the area. Other residents find employment in the medical field with nearby Oregon Health & Science University and Providence Health & Services. In Beaverton, a few miles west, the Nike Corporation employs many Portlanders. 

Make moving to Portland, Oregon, easier with U-Pack

U-Pack® is a DIY long-distance moving service with over 25 years of experience. Through one of our nationwide service centers, we’ll take care of your move from Houston to Portland. Just pack, load and unload, and we’ll handle all the driving. Request your free online quote today or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077.