Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.6 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 77.1% | 70.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.3% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 5.5% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 12.8% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $538,687 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 52.8% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 355 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3001 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.9% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.7% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.7% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 78.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Orem, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Orem, UTChicago, IL vs Orem, UTHouston, TX vs Orem, UTOrem, UT vs Phoenix, AZOrem, UT vs Philadelphia, PA