Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Portland
12.4%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 642,715 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 12.4% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.9% | 5.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 11.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $63,691 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $538,687 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 355 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3001 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 78.3 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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