Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Portland
12.4%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 642,715 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.6 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.4% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 8.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 11.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 28.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 78.3 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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