Arlington TX vs Portland OR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Portland
12.4%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.4% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.4% | 5.8% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 11.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $538,687 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 52.8% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.7% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 78.3 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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