Portland OR vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 268,959 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 70.1% | 63.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.0% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $78,448 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $45,180 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $62,696 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 35.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $570,934 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 49.4% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 460 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.9% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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