Portland OR vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 457,066 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 61.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $47,372 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 40.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.8% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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