Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Portland
12.4%
White
Denver
62.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 642,715 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.6 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.4% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 5.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 11.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $88,792 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $55,312 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 12.8% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 53.5% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 28.5% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.9% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.3% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 78.3 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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