Portland OR vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
St. George
7.4%
White
Portland
70.1%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 99,184 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 7.4% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 5.8% | 0.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 1.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $72,870 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $36,254 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $60,713 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 34.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
St. George
$456,900
St. George +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $456,900 | St. George + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 32.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.6% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.9°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while st. George offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $456,900. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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