Moving from Salt Lake City, UT, to Portland, OR

Moving to the largest city in Oregon

Although Salt Lake City, UT, and Portland, OR, are the largest cities in their states, you’ll want to plan for a higher population when moving to “Rose City.” Portland has around 650,000 people and over 2.5 million in the metro area, compared to Salt Lake City’s 200,000 and nearly 1.3 million in the metro. 

Of course, any move of over 750 miles will mean preparing for some lifestyle changes. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect in Portland. 

Expect milder temperatures

The temperatures are milder year-round in Portland than in Salt Lake City. Portland’s temperatures typically vary from 36 to 81 degrees, while Salt Lake City’s average is usually 23-91 degrees. 

With the milder winters in Portland, you can expect less snowfall — only 3 inches per year, compared to 54 inches in Salt Lake City.  

You will experience more rain, with 43 inches annually in Portland — just over double the amount typical in Salt Lake City. 

Enjoy outdoor Portland

Portlanders are known for being environmentally conscious, and it shows with the city’s parks and hiking trails. The city park system is one of the best in America, according to the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore rating.  

Here are some of the parks to visit: 

• Forest Park — over 5,000 acres 
• Mills End Park — the world’s smallest park, a 2-ft diameter circle 
• Tryon Creek State Natural Area — the most popular park in the Portland 
• Washington Park — home to the Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Garden, the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Japanese Garden  

Working and learning in Portland

The job market in Portland is healthy, with higher average salaries and unemployment rates below the national average. The Intel Corporation employs many people in the tech industry through its multiple campuses in the city.  

Medical careers are also abundant with the Oregon Health & Science University and Providence Health & Services. Nike, located just 7 miles west of Portland in Beaverton, employs around 12,000 residents of Washington County. 

There are 119 public and 238 private schools in Portland serving grades K-12, and 22 colleges and universities serve the area. 

U-Pack can help you move to Oregon

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers, including locations near Salt Lake City and Portland. We’re a DIY-moving service where you handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we move your belongings. Get a free online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.