Portland OR vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.1 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 70.1% | 29.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.9% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 46.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $1,452,609 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 61.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 30.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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