Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 82.8% | 70.1% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.3% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $88,792 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $55,312 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 12.8% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 52.8% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.5% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.9% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.3% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.7% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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