Portland vs Seattle: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Seattle is 15% more expensive than Portland. Seattle is 4% safer. Portland has more comfortable months (5 vs 5). Portland population: 635,109. Seattle population: 784,777.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living: Portland vs Seattle
Portland is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 130 vs 150 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 20 index points.
| Category | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 130 | 150 |
| Housing | $3,471/moIndex: 195 | $4,272/moIndex: 240 |
| Groceries | $443/moIndex: 108 | $451/moIndex: 110 |
| Transportation | $392/moIndex: 112 | $378/moIndex: 108 |
| Healthcare | $336/moIndex: 105 | $346/moIndex: 108 |
| Utilities | $202/moIndex: 92 | $209/moIndex: 95 |
Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.
Safety: Portland vs Seattle
Seattle is 4% safer overall, with a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents vs Portland's 56.5. Seattle earns a F safety grade compared to Portland's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Portland
Oregon
Seattle
Washington
| Metric | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 56.5/1K | 54/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 450.0 | 600.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5200.0 | 4800.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.1 | 8.9 |
| Assault Rate | 322.6 | 496.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.5 | 84.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 675.3 | 760.1 |
| Theft Rate | 3657.4 | 3673.8 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 714.4 | 541.8 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Portland, you have a 1 in 18 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Seattle.
Climate: Portland vs Seattle
Portland Climate Overview
Seattle Climate Overview
Monthly Temperature Comparison
| Metric | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual High | 63.1°F | 60.1°F |
| Avg Annual Low | 45.7°F | 45.9°F |
| Annual Rain | 36.8" | 37.0" |
| Annual Snow | 4.7" | 4.0" |
| Comfortable Months | 5 | 5 |
| Freezing Months | 0 | 0 |
Portland is 6°F warmer in summer than Seattle, but winter temperatures are comparable. Portland gets significantly more snow (5" vs 4").
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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