Portland OR vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Portland
70.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 169,432 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 3.8% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.3% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.6% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $45,984 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $30,864 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,527 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.4% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 30.3% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 42.9% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 501 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 37.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 56.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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