Portland OR vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 227,595 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 43.2% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 10.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $62,671 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $44,249 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 44.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 43.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.9°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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