Portland OR vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 220,482 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.2% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 59.4% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $83,857 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $44,756 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 33.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Portland +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 383 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3409 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 37.3% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 53.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 31.1 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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