Portland OR vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 307,762 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 70.1% | 53.2% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $73,055 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $41,594 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 43.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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