Denver, CO vs Portland, OR
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | DenverDenver, CO | PortlandPortland, OR | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Good | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | Same |
| Education | Same | ||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | High Risk |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 556 mi from an international border, Denver, CO sits much farther inland than Portland, OR, which is 239 mi from the border, a difference of 2.3×. According to 2023 Census figures, Denver’s cost of living index of 175 places it in the 86th percentile, 9% higher than Portland’s 161 in the 82nd percentile. Median rent in Denver is $1,770, 11% higher than Portland’s $1,596, with Denver in the 83rd percentile and Portland in the 74th. The air quality index is 55 in Denver (93rd percentile) versus 35 in Portland (15th percentile), meaning Denver’s AQI is 57% higher. Summer dew point in Portland is 54°F, 6°F higher than Denver’s 48°F, placing Portland in the 19th percentile and Denver in the 9th.
In the Jobs & income section, Denver’s per-capita income of $61,202 is 11% higher than Portland’s $55,312, with Denver in the 88th percentile and Portland in the 83rd. The poverty rate is 12.8% in Portland, 1.6 percentage points higher than Denver’s 11.2%, placing Portland in the 56th percentile and Denver in the 48th. Portland’s state and local tax burden of 10.8% is 1.1 percentage points higher than Denver’s 9.7%, with Portland in the 65th percentile and Denver in the 40th. Median age in Portland is 38.6 years, 3.4 years older than Denver’s 35.2, putting Portland in the 55th percentile and Denver in the 27th. Distance to coastline is 701 mi for Denver (83rd percentile) versus 63 mi for Portland (24th percentile), a difference of 11.2×.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 17586th pctl | 16182nd pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Denver, CO 175; Portland, OR 161; Denver is 9% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $586,70087th pctl | $557,60085th pctl | About the same |
| Median rent | $1,77083rd pctl | $1,59674th pctl | Median rent: Denver, CO $1,770; Portland, OR $1,596; Denver is 11% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $91,68171st pctl | $88,79269th pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $113,98689th pctl | $108,33288th pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $167,55989th pctl | $159,24888th pctl | About the same |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Stretched | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Portland needs about
$69,000
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 175 vs 161). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 4.3%78th pctl | 4.2%74th pctl | About the same |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | -0.6%11th pctl | -1.6%4th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Denver, CO -0.6%; Portland, OR -1.6%; Denver is 1.0 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $61,20288th pctl | $55,31283rd pctl | Per-capita income: Denver, CO $61,202; Portland, OR $55,312; Denver is 11% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 11.2%48th pctl | 12.8%56th pctl | Poverty rate: Denver, CO 11.2%; Portland, OR 12.8%; Portland is 1.6 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 25.4 min64th pctl | 24.6 min58th pctl | About the same |
| Work from home | 24.4%90th pctl | 25.3%91st pctl | About the same |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Stable | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 87597th pctl | 69593rd pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Denver, CO 875; Portland, OR 695; Denver is 26% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 4,12698th pctl | 5,08799th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Denver, CO 4,126; Portland, OR 5,087; Portland is 23% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Dry | Dry | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Denver, CO B-; Portland, OR A+; Portland is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 0 mi0th pctl | 2 mi2nd pctl | Nearest large city: Denver, CO 0 mi; Portland, OR 2 mi; Portland is higher (Denver: 0 mi). |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Denver, CO F; Portland, OR D; Portland is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 556 mi77th pctl | 239 mi29th pctl | Distance to international border: Denver, CO 556 mi; Portland, OR 239 mi; Denver is 2.3 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 701 mi83rd pctl | 63 mi24th pctl | Distance to coastline: Denver, CO 701 mi; Portland, OR 63 mi; Denver is 11.2 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | High Risk | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,73499th pctl | 642,71599th pctl | Population: Denver, CO 713,734; Portland, OR 642,715; Denver is 11% larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 4,66390th pctl | 4,81591st pctl | About the same |
| Median age | 35.227th pctl | 38.655th pctl | Median age: Denver, CO 35.2; Portland, OR 38.6; Portland is 3.4 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 55.6%85th pctl | 53.5%83rd pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Denver, CO 55.6%; Portland, OR 53.5%; Denver is 2.1 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.112th pctl | 2.217th pctl | About the same |
More about Denver's residents · Portland's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Denver and Portland
- Median rent: $1,770 in Denver, $1,596 in Portland
- Median home value: $586,700 in Denver, $557,600 in Portland
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 175 in Denver, 161 in Portland
- Median household income: $91,681 in Denver, $88,792 in Portland
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $167,559 in Denver, $159,248 in Portland
- Unemployment: 4.3% in Denver, 4.2% in Portland
- Average commute: 25.4 min in Denver, 24.6 min in Portland
- Violent crime per 100k: 875 in Denver, 695 in Portland
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More places like Denver and Portland
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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