Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 39.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 46.9% | 5.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $55,312 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 53.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $538,687 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.7% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 78.3 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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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