Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 11.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $538,687 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3001 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 78.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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