Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 38.6 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 59.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 21.6% | 5.8% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 11.3% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $538,687 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 78.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 26.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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