Are you moving from Portland to Philadelphia? Although long-distance moving is a challenging endeavor, some common reasons to relocate from Portland to Philadelphia. Include needing a bigger home, downsizing, wanting to be closer to family, better schools, starting a new job, wanting to change the climate or environment you live in, or just wanting a fresh start. Moving can be a stressful time, which is why we are here to help make your move from Portland to Philadelphia as stress-free as possible.
What Moving to Philadelphia Is Like
Philadelphia, nicknamed Philly and the City of Brotherly Love, is well known for its history, sports, and cheesesteaks. Founded in 1682 by William Penn, Philly played a vital role during the Revolutionary War, served as the meeting place for the nation's founding fathers, and is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia boasts 67 National Historic Landmarks, including Independence Hall.
Philly’s major industries include financial services, healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing, and tourism. The city is home to Comcast, Cigna, GlaxoSmithKline, Urban Outfitters, Pep Boys, and many other major corporations. Philadelphia has over 11,000 acres of parks, including Fairmount Park, which spans 2,052 acres, and Wissahickon Valley Park, consisting of 2,042 acres. The city has 80 institutions of higher learning, including the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious Ivy League school. Philadelphia is one of only a handful of cities with five major professional sports teams. The city also has more public art than any other city in the nation.
Philadelphia has a population of 1,603,797, and the Philadelphia metropolitan area has a combined population of 6.245 million residents. The median household income in Philadelphia is $60,698. Home prices average $260,000, and rents average $1,958 a month for an 791-square-foot apartment.
Moving From Portland to Philadelphia - What You Need to Know
Here are some comparisons between Portland and Philadelphia:
Cost of Living
The cost of living is 36% lower in Philadelphia than in Portland. A main component of that is housing costs, which are 109% higher in Portland. Healthcare is 16% lower in Philadelphia, and utilities are 14% higher. The median household income in Portland is about $18,000 more than in Philadelphia; however, rental prices are about $200 higher per month in Philadelphia.
Crime Rate
The crime rate in Philadelphia is 73% lower than in Portland, although the violent crime rate is 79% higher in Philadelphia. Although this might suggest that Philadelphia is more dangerous, most violent crime in big cities is concentrated in certain areas that can be easily avoided.
Median Home Price
Home prices in Philadelphia are much lower than in Portland. The median price for a home in Philadelphia is $260,000 compared to $506,000 in Portland.
Neighborhoods and Diversity
Philadelphia is more culturally and ethnically diverse than Portland. Here is the demographic comparison between the two cities:
- White alone: Portland 70.1%, Philadelphia 36.1%
- Black or African American alone: Portland 5.8%, Philadelphia 39.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone: Portland 0.8%, Philadelphia 0.4%
- Asian alone: Portland 8.4%, Philadelphia 8.1%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: Portland 0.5%, Philadelphia 0.1%
- Two or More Races: Portland 11.3%, Philadelphia 7.3%
- Hispanic or Latino: Portland 11.3%, Philadelphia 15.2%
- White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: Portland 67.0%, Philadelphia 33.6%
Weather
Philadelphia experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers, mild to chilly winters, and considerable snowfall. Philly offers four distinct seasons. Portland’s moderate oceanic climate brings cool, wet winters and dry, warm summers. It rarely snows in Portland.
Things to Do
Philly has many historical sites, world-class museums and galleries, excellent live theater and music, and a thriving nightlife scene. Top attractions in the city include Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, the Museum of the American Revolution, Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and much more. Philly is also home to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where you can see the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Academy of Music, home of Opera Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Portland is more about the outdoors and the stunning natural beauty all around it. Portland is close to the ocean and the mountains. Top attractions include the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Oregon Coast, where you can enjoy hiking, skiing, and the beach!
Forest Park, at 5,200 acres, is one of the largest urban forests in the U.S., offering plenty of natural beauty right in the city. Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry are also major attractions in Portland.
Schools/Education
The School District of Philadelphia is the eighth-largest school district in the nation, with 142,266 students in over 300 public and charter schools. The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1749 by Benjamin Franklin, is one of the world's highest-ranked universities. Other schools of higher learning in Philly include Temple University, Drexel University, and Thomas Jefferson University.
Portland Public Schools has more than 44,000 students in 81 schools and is one of the largest school districts in the Pacific Northwest. According to US News, Grant High is the second-ranked high school in the state and ranked #322 in the nation. Winterhaven School is the #1-ranked middle school in the state, and Alameda Elementary ranks #3 in Oregon elementary schools. More than half of Oregon’s colleges and universities are located in Portland, including Pacific University, Portland State, and George Fox University.
Public Transportation/Traffic
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides excellent public transportation in the Philadelphia area. SEPTA is the nation’s sixth-largest public transportation system, offering convenient train, subway, trolley, and bus lines that cover a 2,200-square-mile region. The average daily ridership is about 791,101 passengers.
TriMet manages Portland’s very good public transportation system, including bus, light rail, and streetcar options. Total ridership in 2023 was 62,055,600, or about 206,400 per weekday.
Culture/Vibe
Philadelphia’s strength lies in its diversity. The city has a thriving Black community as about 40% of its residents are Black. The Latino Community includes large populations from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The Asian American Pacific Islander Community covers seven city blocks in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. The largest European ethnic groups are Irish, Italian, German, Polish, English, Russian, Ukrainian, and French.
Portland is known for its “weirdness”, distinct neighborhoods, active nightlife, breweries, eclectic local shops, bars, restaurants, and art galleries, as well as its surrounding natural beauty.
Sports
Philadelphia is one of only a few cities with five major professional sports teams. The NBA’s 76ers, The NHL’s Flyers, the NFL’s Eagles, MLB’s Phillies, and MLS’s Union all make their homes in Philadelphia.
Portland is home to the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) and the Portland Timbers (MLS). Portland also has minor-league baseball and hockey. Both cities have major college sports.
Portland to Philadelphia Movers
A long-distance move from Portland to Philadelphia can be super challenging if you try to tackle it yourself. Hiring a top Portland to Philadelphia mover gives you a dedicated move coordinator, professional-grade boxes and packing materials, and optional packing services. Professional movers have the right trucks, equipment, and know-how to make your move as smooth and easy as possible. You get peace of mind when you hire a professional Portland to Philadelphia mover.
Benefits of Using Professional Movers:
- Faster and more efficient
- Offers peace of mind
- Trained movers
- Specialized equipment, materials, and trucks
- Optional services
- No pain or injuries
Why PDX Movers Is Your Best Portland to Philadelphia Moving Company Choice
When choosing a Portland to Philadelphia mover, keep in mind that not all movers are the same. Choose an affordable mover that you can trust. Here are some important things to consider before you choose a long-distance Portland to Philadelphia mover:
- Check Yelp and Google reviews (we have a 4.8 Google rating)
- How long have they been in business (we’ve been in business for 10+ years)
- How many moves have they done (we’ve served 3,000 customers per year)
- What is their claims rate (ours is very low)
- Are they licensed and insured (we are fully licensed and insured)
- Do they have the proper equipment and trucks (we have all the equipment needed and properly maintained professional moving trucks)
- Do they have awesome customer service (we have a 4.8/5 customer satisfaction rate)
- Are the crews trained (our professional teams are highly trained and reliable)
Portland to Philadelphia Moving Cost
How much a Portland to Philadelphia move will cost depends on several factors. We can give you an affordable estimate based on the information you provide us. Here are some of the factors that go into a long-distance move estimate:
- Distance
- Volume
- Time of year
- Additional services
- Storage needs
- Specialized moving (pianos, artwork, antiques, pool tables, etc.)
Portland to Philadelphia Distances & Travel Information
Here are the estimated costs and times for your trip depending on whether you drive, fly, or take a train:
Driving From Portland to Philadelphia
The distance from Portland to Philadelphia is about 2,864 miles, and it takes about 41 hours to drive there along I-84 East and I-80 East.
Flying From Portland to Philadelphia:
There are no non-stop flights from Portland to Philly. Flights with one stop from Portland International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport typically take from 6 to 8 hours, and prices start at around $151. The route is PDX Portland PHL Philadelphia airports. There are plenty of cheap flight deals, especially for non-direct flights. You'll find flights from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and other different airlines.
The best airline will depend on what the airlines provide. Available round-trip flights from Portland International Airport will include at least one stop for the lowest price, and travel dates vary for the cheapest month. If you're moving from Portland to Philadelphia, you'll likely be taking multiple flights to Philadelphia International Airport to check out the area before relocating.
Train From Portland to Philadelphia:
Amtrak service from Portland Union Station to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station takes 3 days over three segments and starts at about $578.
Moving From Portland to Philadelphia? PDX Movers Can Help
If you’re moving from Portland to Philadelphia, you’ll need the best Portland movers to help you get there! We are skilled in moving across the country, and we can help you with all aspects of your relocation. We offer long distance moving, packing help, and containerized storage. Give PDX Movers a call at 503-746-8795 or fill out our form for a free quote!
