Portland OR vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 39.7 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 70.1% | 40.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 5.1% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $1,369,171 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 38.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.7% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.6% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 33.9 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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