Portland OR vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 393,389 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 70.1% | 51.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.8% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $71,302 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $49,513 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.9% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 44.6% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 50.2% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 31.9% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 73.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Tampa, 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 tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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