Moving from Seattle, WA, to Portland, OR

Relocating south to Oregon

Moving from Seattle to Portland, OR, takes you 175 miles south to a slightly smaller city.

Portland has approximately 653,000 residents, compared to Seattle's 737,000. The Portland metropolitan area is also less populous than Seattle’s metro, with 2.5 million people compared to 4 million.

Keep reading to learn more about life in “Rose City.”

Expect similar weather patterns in your new hometown

Portland summers are warm, with average highs around 81 degrees, only a bit higher than the average of 76 degrees in Seattle. Winter lows are similar in both cities, averaging around 36 degrees, but snowfall is slightly less in Portland, averaging 3 inches, compared to 5 inches in Seattle.

Despite Seattle's reputation for rain, with an average of 38 inches annually, Portland receives more, around 43 inches per year.

Things to do in Portland

Like Seattle, Portland is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are multiple parks to enjoy, including Forest Park and Washington Park. Kids of all ages love the Oregon Zoo. 

“Rose City” wouldn’t be complete without the International Rose Test Garden, featuring views of Mount Hood. And don’t miss the beautiful flora at the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden.

Check out the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Portland Art Museum for indoor attractions.

Making a living in Portland

The Portland job market is robust, offering numerous opportunities for new residents. The largest employers in the area include:

  • Fred Meyer Stores
  • Intel Corporation
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Legacy Health
  • Nike
  • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Providence Health & Services
  • The City of Portland

Relocate to Oregon with U-Pack

Choose U-Pack® for a stress-free move from Seattle to Portland. We have service center locations nationwide ready to help. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, then we’ll take care of transporting your things to Oregon. Get a free moving quote and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 if you’d prefer to speak to a moving consultant.