Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Portland
12.4%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.6 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 12.4% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.2% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 8.1% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $88,792 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $55,312 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,691 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.8% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 53.5% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 28.5% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.3% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.1% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 11.7% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | 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.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 26.5 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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