Portland OR vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Portland
70.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 203,888 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 70.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.7% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.3% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $74,925 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $49,642 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $60,713 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.4% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 50.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $580,126 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 46.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 29.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.8°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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