Moving from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles, CA

A new life in the second-largest city in the U.S.

Moving almost 1,000 miles from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles means setting up a new household in the second-largest city in the United States.  

LA’s city population of around 3.9 million residents and over 13 million in the metro is much larger than Portland's. Portland has around 650,000 people, and the metro population is just over 2.5 million.  

You’ll also notice more tourists in Los Angeles — around 40 million annually — while 12 million people usually visit Portland each year. 

Warmer and drier weather in LA

LA’s climate is warmer and drier than Portland, especially during the summer. Summer highs in Los Angeles average 84 degrees, compared to 81 degrees in Portland. 

You’ll get a break from the rainy weather in Portland. Los Angeles averages only 16 inches of rain annually, compared to 43 inches in Portland. 

Winter lows in LA typically stay in the mid-40s, while Portland reaches the mid-30s. Snow is rare in Los Angeles, while Portland gets around 3 inches yearly. 

Los Angeles opportunities

Los Angeles is often called “the entertainment capital of the world” because it is a popular destination for actors, artists, dancers, filmmakers, musicians and writers. 

Residents can also expect job opportunities in bioscience, business, food manufacturing, information technology, logistics, manufacturing and trade.  

While the cost of living is higher in LA than in Portland, average salaries are also higher than national averages.  

There are more than 2,500 public and private schools for K-12 students in the area. Multiple colleges are nearby, including the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University.

Interesting facts about the City of Angels

Learn more about Los Angeles with this trivia: 

• "Los Angeles" means "The Angels" in Spanish, contributing to its nickname of “The City of Angels.” 
• According to the county assessor’s office, L.A. County has more than 250,000 private pools. 
• LAX is one of the world's largest and busiest airports. 
• LA is home to more than 100 museums. 
• Los Angeles County has over 75 miles of coastline. 
• There are over 2,600 stars embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.  
• La Brea Tar Pits in the city's center have revealed multiple prehistoric fossils, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats. 

Move to California with U-Pack

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and more than 25 years of experience in long-distance moves. Our locations near Portland and Los Angeles are ready to serve you. We’re a DIY-moving service where you handle packing, loading and unloading, and we drive your belongings to your new home. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.