Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Portland
12.4%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.6 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.4% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 6.7% | 5.8% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 8.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 11.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $538,687 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 78.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.5 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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