Thinking about moving from Portland to Chicago? Then you came to the right place. Chicago is a fantastic city full of life and culture. Although they share a few similarities, there is a very different vibe in Chicago vs Portland that attracts people with different needs and tastes.
You may be relocating to Chicago for any number of reasons. Perhaps you're moving for work or to further your education. You may be looking to be closer to your family after celebrating a wedding or welcoming a new baby. Maybe you're simply looking for a change in scenery or a new atmosphere.
Whatever's motivating the decision, this guide will break down everything you need to know about moving from Portland OR to Chicago IL to help you decide if it's the right move for you. And when you're ready to make it happen, trusted Portland movers can help get you to the Windy City with ease.
What Is Moving to Chicago Like?
Moving from Portland to Chicago offers access to world-class cultural attractions, historic neighborhoods, and fantastic job opportunities. With over 2.6 million residents, Chicago is the third largest city in the US, after New York and Los Angeles. It's the largest metropolitan area in the Midwest and located on the banks of Lake Michigan in northwestern Illinois.
Chicago is a diverse and exciting city full of museums, sports stadiums, neighborhood grocery stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other attractions. From deep-dish pizza to its stunning architecture, Chicago is known for its unique culture and proud history.
The median household income in Chicago is $74,474 per year. It's a major economic hub for the Midwest and home to a variety of exciting industries such as manufacturing, finance, retail, and logistics. However, for a major city, the cost of living in Chicago is very reasonable. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Chicago is $352,000. Rentcafe indicates the average rent in Chicago is $2,349 per month. That means Chicago is affordable when you compare it to other big cities like LA and NYC.
Chicago has a continental climate, which means residents should expect cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers with temperatures ranging from 22°F 83°F. If you plan on living in Chicago you can expect to experience four distinct seasons.
Benefits of Moving From Portland to Chicago
Portland to Chicago Movers
Now that you understand all the fantastic benefits of living in the Windy City, you may be curious about the quality of life in Portland vs. Chicago. Here is a look at how the two cities compare side by side in a few important categories.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Cost of Living
The cost of living in Chicago vs Portland is slightly lower. The cost of living index is a good way to compare the affordability of two different areas, using 100 to represent the national average. The COLI for Chicago is 113.4, while in Portland, it's 120.2. That means Portland is about 6.8% more expensive than Chicago.
The Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator indicates that the average family of four with two adults and two kids needs to earn $108,865 to afford to live in Chicago, while the same family would need to earn $128,808 to afford to live in Portland.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Crime Rate
While both are large cities that experience a high rate of crime compared to the national average, overall crime is higher in Portland.
The total crime rate in Portland is 7,076 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 204% higher than the national average. In contrast, the Chicago crime rate is 3,673 incidents per 100,000 people, which is only 58% higher than the rest of the county.
So when you compare the Portland vs Chicago crime, the former is 92% higher. However, Chicago also has a murder rate that's 262% higher than the national average, while in Portland it's 136% higher.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Housing Prices
The cost to purchase a home is higher in Portland vs. Chicago, although rent prices tend to be less expensive. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Portland is $506,000, which is 43% higher than in Chicago. However, RentCafe shows that the average rent in Portland is $1,754, which is 34% lower than a one bedroom apartment in Chicago.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Neighborhoods and Diversity
Chicago is a larger, more culturally diverse city with many distinct sections and historic neighborhoods. The City of Chicago consists of 77 community areas that contain over 200 individual neighborhoods. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 42.4% white (32.7% white, non-Hispanic), 29% Hispanic or Latino, 28.8% Black or African American, 7% Asian and 9.7% two or more races.
In comparison, Portland only has 95 officially recognized neighborhoods. The racial and ethnic breakdown is 72.2% white (68.3% white, non-Hispanic), 10.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 5.9% Black or African American, 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native and 9.2% two or more races. So, moving from Chicago to Portland offers more diversity and variety.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Weather
Neither city is particularly well known for its fantastic weather, although Portland tends to be cooler and damper, while Chicago tends to be colder and snowier.
In Portland, the average summer high is 95°F, and the average winter low is 36°F, while in Chicago, the summer high is 84°F and the winter low is 19°F. Portland averages 43 inches of rainfall compared to 38 for Chicago.
Chicago also gets 35 inches of snow per year, versus Portland, which gets 3 inches. So, if you prefer snowy winters to damp, overcast days, moving from Portland to Chicago is a smart option.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Things to Do
Both cities offer a variety of things to do, although they both offer unique attractions. Chicago is known for attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago River Walk, Wrigley Field, and the Magnificent Mile. It's more known for its cultural destinations, sports teams, culinary scene, and the Chicago skyline.
Portland is known for its quirky, off-beat culture, unique museums, and large parks with hiking trails and bike lanes. Notable attractions include the Portland Japanese Garden, the Portland Art Museum, Downtown Portland, and Washington Park. But If you prefer a big city lifestyle with plenty of shopping, entertainment and nightlife, you're better off moving from Portland OR to Chicago IL.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Schools and Education
They both offer excellent educational opportunities and feature above-average public schools, although Chicago is home to some of the top schools in the country. The top three school districts in the country are in the Chicago area, and the city is home to five schools that rank within the top 100 schools nationwide, according to US News and World Report.
This includes Walter Payton Preparatory High School, which ranks 5th in the country. Portland schools perform highly in several key metrics, although none are quite as highly ranked as those in Chicago.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Public Transportation
Chicago has the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which operates both buses and trains, including the "L" which runs both above and below ground. Portland has the TriMet System, which operates buses, light rails, street cars, and the Portland Aerial Tram. While both are considered efficient and far-reaching, the CTA ranked number 8 on a list of the best public transportation systems in the country, according to the US News and World Report. Portland didn't make the list.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Culture and Vibe
Moving to Chicago from Portland offers a more typically "big city" vibe with a mix of jazz bars, improv comedy clubs, delicious restaurants, late-night spots that serve alcohol, and acclaimed museums. Portland is more known for its hipster culture with a more intimate, community-oriented atmosphere centered around craft breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and gorgeous outdoor spaces with great air quality.
Moving From Portland to Chicago Sports
Sports fans will definitely get more out of moving to Chicago from Portland. Chicago has six professional sports teams, including the Bears (NFL), Black Hawks (NHL), Bulls (NBA), Cubs and White Sox (MLB) and the Sky (WNBA). Portland has three major sports teams: the Trail Blazers (NBA), the Portland Timbers (MLS), and the Portland Thorns (NWSL).
Portland to Chicago Movers
Whatever's motivating your decision to move from Portland to Chicago, trusting the team of experts at PDX Movers will make your journey far more manageable. Moving over an hour away is never easy. Chicago long distance movers offer a range of services that will ensure the trip is smooth and painless.
Portland long distance movers offer the following services:
- Project management by a dedicated moving coordinator
- Professional packing by trained experts who can provide boxes and materials
- Loading of all your furniture and belongings into the truck and unloading at your final destination after moving from Portland to Chicago
- Storage services before or after your move are available
- Transportation to the final destination in a fully-stocked commercial moving truck
- Disassembly of your furniture and reassembly in the new home
- Unpacking of all your belongings and placement of furniture in the desired location
- Moving of appliances if needed (connecting/disconnecting not included).
Customers use Chicago long distance moving companies to handle their relocation for a number of reasons. Movers save time and reduce stress by handling everything on your behalf. Long distance moves are typically too difficult and strenuous to leave up to friends and family.
Professional Chicago out of state movers will provide all the services and tools needed to guarantee a stress-free moving day. Let our crew take care of all the small details and heavy lifting so you can focus on starting the next chapter of your life after moving from Portland to Chicago.
Why PDX Movers Is Your Best Portland to Chicago Moving Company Choice
PDX Movers is an award-winning Portland OR to Chicago IL moving company with a great reputation in the industry. Before you hire any Chicago interstate movers, you should confirm they are reputable and reliable. It's a long journey, and you want to be sure that your belongings are in good hands.
Here are a few ways to find the best company if you're moving from Portland to Chicago:
- Read any reviews on Google and Yelp (make sure they're mostly positive)
- Confirm they have a professional website with important stats available
- Find out how long they've been in business, how many long distance moves they performed, what their claims rate is
- Make sure they have the proper licensing and insurance
- Do they have the necessary equipment to safely handle a Portland OR to Chicago IL move?
- Is their customer service team friendly and attentive?
- Do they offer all the services you need?
PDX Movers is a trusted name in the moving industry with a great reputation for customer satisfaction. We've been in business for over 10 years and serve over 3,000 customers per year. Our dedicated Portland to Chicago movers are all 100% background checked and highly skilled in all aspects of moving, which has earned us a 4.8/5 star customer satisfaction rating. You can count on us to make moving from Portland to Chicago easy and stress-free.
Portland to Chicago Moving Costs
By now, you may understand the benefits of hiring a moving company. But how much does moving from Portland to Chicago actually cost? The true cost of any relocation will depend on a variety of different factors.
Factors that will influence the price of moving from Portland to Chicago:
- Distance between the starting point and the destination
- The amount and weight of the furniture, belongings, and boxes that require transportation
- The date and timing of the relocation
- Whether you'll need additional services such as packing or storage
You can always use a moving cost calculator to estimate the costs. However, the best way to know for sure is to reach out and request a quote. Contact our customer service team and let us know when you plan on moving from Portland to Chicago. We also need a few details about the trip. We'll gladly provide you with an affordable estimate after taking the time to understand your needs.
Portland to Chicago Distances & Travel Information
While your belongings are being transported to your final destination in the moving truck, you'll need to make travel plans for yourself. Here are a few common methods of travel to Portland or Chicago.
- The Portland to Chicago drive is about 2,100 miles and takes about 31 hours in total, so you'll likely have to split it up. Luckily, there are many great attractions to see along the way, from the Great Salt Lake to the Boise National Forest.
- Portland OR to Chicago IL flights take about four hours for non-stop flights. You can search for one-way flights from Portland International Airport (PDX). A variety of airlines fly out of PDX Portland Intl, so you can book flights with United Airlines, American Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and more.
- The Empire Builder Amtrak train runs from Seattle to Chicago and stops in Portland. The train ride takes about 46 hours in total, and tickets start at around $250.
Now that you understand all the benefits of moving from Portland to Chicago, you’re ready to plan the trip. Trust our dependable Portland long distance movers to make your journey easy and stress-free. We’ll take all the guesswork out of relocating from Portland OR to Chicago IL. Call (503) 746-8795 today for a free quote.
