Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Portland
12.4%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 642,715 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $538,687 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 78.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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