Portland OR vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 154,751 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 10.2% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 40.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.8% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $51,339 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $27,054 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 25.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 19.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 49.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 39.6% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.8% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.1% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.5% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Portland, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Portland, ORChicago, IL vs Portland, ORHouston, TX vs Portland, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Portland, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Portland, OR