Portland OR vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 135,806 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 70.1% | 49.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 51.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $708,498 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 47.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Stamford
53.2 in
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 53.2 in | Stamford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 30.1 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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