Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Portland
12.4%
White
Houston
35.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 642,715 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.4% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.9% | 5.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 11.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $538,687 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 78.3 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX