Portland OR vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Portland
5.8%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 260,646 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 43.1 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 10.1% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 66.2% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $73,118 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $49,823 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 41.3% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 32.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 26.8 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg 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%.
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