Portland OR vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Portland +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 119,508 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 40.2 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 70.1% | 44.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.5% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $69,261 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $44,508 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 37.6% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 50.2% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 29.1% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.7% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 16.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 75.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 62.3 in | West Palm Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Portland, OR | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach 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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