Portland OR vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Portland
5.8%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 70.1% | 48.3% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $62,917 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $32,983 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 17.1% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 28.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 52.4% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 34.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 24.5% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 68.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 26.5 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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