Gresham OR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gresham
112,818
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 67.7% | 61.8% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 8.2% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $871,599 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 44.3% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Gresham +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Gresham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.0% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 28.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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