Thinking about trading in Portland’s quirky culture, craft beer, and rainy Pacific Northwest climate for the Valley of the Sun? You’re far from alone! In 2021, Phoenix was the top inbound city for new residents, beating out every other metro area. It was also one of the top cities that new residents chose for non-employment reasons like cost of living. Portland and its fellow PNW city Seattle were among the top five origin cities for new Phoenicians.
Phoenix has so much to look forward to, but you’ll want to know what to expect ahead of relocating from Portland to Arizona. Here’s everything you want to know including how our dependable Portland to Phoenix movers can help.
What Is Moving to Phoenix Like?
How does living in Phoenix vs Portland compare? In many ways, the cities are very different. Phoenix is a mostly conservative city of 1.65 million people living in a metropolis sprawling 518 square miles. Portland is much more liberal with less than half the population in just 133 square miles. While many people think of Arizona as a retirement destination and assume Phoenix has an older population and a slower pace, the median age is actually much lower in Phoenix versus Portland! It’s also more diverse.
Phoenix is known for its spa resorts, golf courses, nightclubs, and dramatic desert landscape – the perfect recipe for relaxation by day and excitement by night. The Phoenix nightlife is centered on the downtown area with speakeasies, small music venues, swank lounges, arcade bars, and bustling clubs. Outdoor enthusiasts love hiking, tubing on the Salt River, and natural attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden. You can also beat the heat at attractions like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor or boating on Lake Powell.
At first glance, it may be hard to see any similarities between Portland vs Phoenix. Portland is so green and wet, even the roofs and sidewalks are prone to looking more like a forest than manmade materials. (Have you scheduled your regular roof moss treatment yet?) By comparison, Phoenix is dry with intense sunlight and heat. It’s surrounded by the Sonoran Desert which may not be green, but it’s certainly colorful with spring wildflowers creating a carpet in a rainbow of hues and vibrant desert sunrises and sunsets that paint the sky.
You’ll need to adjust to the intense and very long summers in one of the sunniest areas of the world and hotter summertime temperatures than any other major city. While living in Phoenix, you’ll experience an average daytime high of at least 100 °F on 1 out of every 3 days, mostly between May and late September. Air quality tends to be poor due to dust from construction, agriculture, and dust storms.
Some things won’t require much adjustment. The Phoenix quality of life is just as high as the great quality of life in Portland, Oregon, once you get used to the climate. If you love hiking, you may be surprised to learn that hiking in Phoenix is as popular as it is in PDX, although you’ll be exploring diverse desert landscapes instead of the Pacific Northwest’s emerald forests. Both cities are also known for their friendly residents! Phoenix has even been ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the country.
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Benefits of Moving from Portland to Phoenix
As you explore the pros and cons of living in Phoenix vs Portland, you’ll discover there are many benefits of moving to Phoenix no matter what kind of lifestyle you’re looking for. Here are just some of the top reasons it’s time to pull the trigger, hire Portland interstate movers, and say hello to Valley of the Sun living.
Lower Cost of Living in Phoenix vs Portland
One of the top reasons so many people are moving to Phoenix from Portland is the high cost of living. The Portland cost of living index is 130, or 30% higher than the national average, compared to the Phoenix cost of living index of 109.
After moving from Portland, Oregon to Phoenix, you’ll enjoy a cost of living that’s 18% lower. Not only are homes more affordable in Phoenix, so are groceries and transportation. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect.
| Portland vs Phoenix Cost of Living Comparison | ||
| Portland | Phoenix | |
| COLI | 130 | 109 |
| Median home price | $569,000 ($317/sq ft) | $440,000 ($282/sq ft) |
| Median rent | $1,746 | $1,590 |
| Average salary | $73,000 | $71,000 |
| Average utilities | $437 | $377 |
| Average car insurance | $263 | $176 |
Phoenix Climate Free Frequent Rain & Freezing Winters
Tired of freezing cold winters, overcast and drizzling days, and the moss threatening to take over everything? You may find living in the southwest comes out ahead when you compare living in Portland vs Phoenix. While Phoenix temperatures do drop and get quite cold at night, most days throughout the year are incredibly warm and sunny!
Great Desert Hiking & Outdoor Recreation
Living in Phoenix is great if you enjoy the outdoors! Here are just some of the fun things you can do in the Phoenix area whether you like relaxing outdoor recreation or heart-pounding adventure.
- Kayaking and tubing down the Salt River
- Biking metro Phoenix trails
- Rock climbing at the McDowell Mountains
- Horseback riding with several equestrian centers and stables plus hundreds of miles of trails
- Archery, camping, and hiking at Usery Mountain Regional Park
- Hike to popular Phoenix peaks like Pinnacle Peak and Tom’s Thumb with Phoenix skyline views
- Enjoy fishing, golfing, paddleboating on the lagoon, and the amusement park at Encanto Park
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Phoenix Is a Top Destination for Job Seekers
The Portland job market is definitely healthy and the PDX region was in the top 10 for job growth in 2021 among metro areas. However, Metro Phoenix was ranked #2 among the best labor markets in the United States with exponential growth, rising wages, and huge demand for workers in all sectors. You’ll have no trouble finding a career after moving to Phoenix and your money will go farther.
Portland to Phoenix Movers
As you prepare for a big move to a new state, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to even start. An experienced Portland state to state moving company can be invaluable in making sure your relocation goes smoothly. Here’s why you’ll be glad you hired a licensed Portland to Phoenix moving company!
- Dedicated move coordinator handles the details and logistics to make sure moving day is smooth and problem-free
- No heavy lifting, loading heavy furniture, or repetitive bending
- Customizable packing and unpacking services let you do as much work as you want with the peace of mind knowing your belongings are packed properly
- Storage at your origin or in the Phoenix area saves you the hassle of self-storage and moving twice
- Easy and relaxing move-in with boxes unpacked, furniture assembled, and rubbish removed
- No need to drive a commercial truck hundreds of miles through city traffic and narrow roads
Why PDX Movers Is the Best Portland to Phoenix Moving Company
An interstate move is challenging enough without the stress of inexperienced movers, damaged belongings, or delays. That’s why you should take the time to research Portland to Phoenix moving companies before you make a decision.
We recommend looking for the following to find Portland to Arizona movers you can count on.
- Licensed and insured with a valid US DOT number
- Dedicated movers who are experienced, background checked, and uniformed
- Years of experience handling interstate relocations
- Positive reviews and referrals from past customers
- Low claims rate
- Services you need such as storage and packing
- Competitive and transparent moving rates without hidden fees or high upfront deposits
Since 2012, PDX Movers has earned a sterling reputation with more than 1,500 moves performed every year. Our fully vetted and friendly movers have been recognized for their excellence with over 1,000 positive reviews! We have the expertise and specialized equipment necessary to deliver the seamless and stress-free long-distance moving experience you deserve.
Portland to Phoenix Moving Cost
One of the many questions you may have about moving from Portland to Arizona is how much it will cost. The good news is Portland interstate movers don’t cost as much as you think! You benefit from a smooth relocation completed on schedule without the hard work and stress.
There is no way to estimate your interstate moving cost without an assessment of factors like:
- Total distance
- Number of movers needed
- Volume and type of belongings
- Moving dates
- Storage needs
- Level of service
As a general rule, interstate moves have a flat-rate cost based on the volume or cubic feet of your belongings and other factors. Local moves, on the other hand, usually have hourly rates based on the number of movers you need.
The best way to estimate the cost of moving from Portland to Phoenix is to give our friendly movers a call for a free, personalized estimate!
Portland to Phoenix Distance & Travel Information
When you hire a full-service moving company in Portland, the only thing you need to worry about on moving day is getting yourself and the rest of the family to your new home. You may decide to drive or fly depending on your budget, whether you’re taking or shipping a car, and how eager you are for a long drive.
The Portland to Phoenix drive is 1,271 miles or 20 hours via US-95 if you pass through Las Vegas. Going through Sacramento and Los Angeles on the I-5 or through Idaho on I-84 both add about 30 minutes.
You can also fly from Portland, Oregon to Phoenix, Arizona with nonstop flights offered by Alaska, Southwest, and American. One-way flights from PDX to PHX are usually around $100. If you want a long, leisurely trip to your new state, Amtrak offers service from Portland to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight then you can take the Sunset Limited train from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Ready to start the adventure of moving to your new home in Arizona? PDX Movers is ready to give you a worry-free experience with a team of interstate movers prepared to handle all the logistics and hard work. Give us a call to get started with a free, personalized estimate!
