Portland OR vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Portland
70.1%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 115,546 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 8.2% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.2% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $51,982 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 44.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Portland +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 28.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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