Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.6 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 36.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 5.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $538,687 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 78.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.5 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. 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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