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Denver vs Portland: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents vs Portland's 56.5 per 1,000, making Denver 23% safer overall. Denver earns a F safety grade compared to Portland's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Denver

Colorado

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
Percentile9%
F

Portland

Oregon

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate56.5/1K
Percentile1%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricDenverPortland
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K56.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0450.0
Property Crime Rate3800.05200.0
Murder Rate8.68.1
Assault Rate429.0322.6
Robbery Rate99.875.5
Burglary Rate593.2675.3
Theft Rate3293.73657.4
Vehicle Theft Rate888.1714.4

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Denver is safer in 4 and Portland is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Denver, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 18 in Portland.

Full Safety Reports

F
Denver, Colorado Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Portland, Oregon Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Denver vs Portland

Denver Climate Overview

Annual High65.3°F
Annual Low36.1°F
Annual Rain15.5"
Annual Snow43.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Portland Climate Overview

Annual High63.1°F
Annual Low45.7°F
Annual Rain36.8"
Annual Snow4.7"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

DenverPortlandHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Denver is 8°F warmer in summer than Portland, but Denver is 19°F colder in winter than Portland. Denver gets significantly more snow (43" vs 5"). Portland is wetter with 37" of annual rain compared to 16".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver safer than Portland?
As of 2026, Denver is 23% safer overall, with a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Portland's 56.5. Denver earns a F safety grade vs Portland's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Denver or Portland?
Denver has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Portland is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Denver vs Portland?
Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3800/100K). Portland has 56.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 5200/100K).
Should I move to Denver or Portland?
From a safety perspective, Denver has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Denver (pop. 740,613) and Portland (pop. 635,109) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Denver's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Denver and Portland compare for property crime?
Denver has lower property crime at 3800 per 100K vs Portland's 5200. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Denver vs AustinDenver vs SeattleDenver vs Salt Lake CityPortland vs AustinPortland vs SeattlePortland vs Seattle

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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