Portland OR vs Provo UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Provo
12.2%
White
Portland
70.1%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 114,303 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.2% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.1% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $62,800 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $26,755 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $60,713 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 45.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 39.9% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 30.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.5% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo 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%.
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