Portland OR vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 524,802 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 70.1% | 36.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $83,753 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $42,300 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.4% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 36.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 51.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 30.0% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 27.0 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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