Portland OR vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 470,763 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 70.1% | 53.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $82,424 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $49,948 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 52.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 51.2% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 30.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.1°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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