Portland OR vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 70.1% | 39.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.5% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $580,173 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 41.1% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 24.0% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 32.8 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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