Portland OR vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Portland
70.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 149,519 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 41.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 6.8% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.6% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $39,604 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 31.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 29.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.5% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 32.8 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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