Portland OR vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 199,696 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.0% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 50.7% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.0% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $55,931 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $35,704 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.2% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 51.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 39.5% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 34.1% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 67.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tallahassee 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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