Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Portland
12.4%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.6 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 12.4% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Portland
$63,691
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,691 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.5% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 12.8% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $538,687 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 52.8% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Portland
355
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Portland
3001
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 355 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3001 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.7% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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