Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Portland
12.4%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.6 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.4% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 0.6% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 8.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 28.5% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.7% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 78.3 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 503 in Escondido. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
Compare More Cities
Escondido, CA vs New York, NYEscondido, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Escondido, CAEscondido, CA vs Houston, TXEscondido, CA vs Phoenix, AZEscondido, CA vs Philadelphia, PA