Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR, are two pivotal hubs of the Pacific Northwest that attract tourists and new residents alike due to their unique charm, scenic beauty and thriving industries. Both cities offer an array of outdoor activities, rich cultural traditions, job opportunities and educational platforms. This comparison considers essential elements like crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industry and occupations, and more to highlight what distinguishes each city and give you a comprehensive understanding of them.
Distance between
Seattle, WA and
Portland, OR : 146.0 miles
Seattle's population is larger by 15%. Its population has grown by 170,545 people (30.3%) since 2000. The population of Portland has grown by 112,041 people (21.2%) during that time.
Both Seattle and Portland struggle with crime, but Seattle has a higher crime rate. Seattle's property crime rate is above the national average, much like Portland's, but personal crime rates are relatively lower. In contrast, Portland's crime rates are lower than Seattle's, but its street-level issues, such as homelessness and petty crime, are more visible. Both cities put significant efforts into ensuring public safety and community support.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 481 registered sex offenders living in Seattle and 374 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Seattle is 1,464 to 1; the ratio in Portland is 1,710 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Seattle is near to than in Portland.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Seattle is considerably higher than in Portland. This is reflected in housing costs, grocery bills, and health care. Portland, on the other hand, provides a more economical living environment, although it is still above the national average.
Income Tax
While there is no state income tax in Washington, providing relief for Seattleites, Oregon levies a state income tax, significantly impacting residents of Portland.
Property Tax
Both Washington and Oregon have property taxes, but rates vary significantly. Seattle homeowners face higher property taxes than those in Portland due to the higher home values.
Sales Tax
Washington State, including Seattle, imposes a sales tax, while Oregon, including Portland, does not. This difference often attracts many to shop in Portland from surrounding areas.
Income
Type
Seattle
Portland
Estimated median household income
$110,781
$79,057
Estimated per capita income
$74,733
$49,003
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
118.5
106.5
If you make $50,000 in Portland, you will have to make $55,634 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Seattle is located between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, characterized by stunning waterfront views and hilly terrain. Portland is known for its scenic beauty with the Willamette and Columbia River and close proximity to Mount Hood.
Both Seattle and Portland boast excellent public and private schools and are home to several reputed universities. Seattle may have a slight edge in education due to the presence of globally recognized institutions, like the University of Washington.
Seattle and Portland's economies are both robust and diverse. However, Seattle, as the home of industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft, offers more job opportunities, especially in the tech industry. In contrast, Portland has a vibrant start-up scene and creative industry.
Biggest Employers
Seattle's biggest employers are giants within their industries, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks. In Portland, Intel, Providence Health & Services, and Nike are among the biggest employers.
There were 264 building permits issued in Seattle in 2012 (52 less than in 2011) compared to 474 building permits issued in Portland in 2012 (23 more than in 2011).
In Seattle (King County), 69.0% voted for Democrats and 28.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Portland (Multnomah County), 75.4% voted for Democrats and 20.6% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
2020
75.1%
79.2%
22.3%
17.9%
2.6%
2.9%
2016
70.0%
73.3%
21.1%
17.0%
8.9%
9.7%
2012
69.0%
75.4%
28.5%
20.6%
2.5%
4.0%
2008
70.2%
76.7%
28.1%
20.6%
1.7%
2.7%
2004
65.1%
71.6%
33.8%
27.1%
1.1%
1.3%
2000
60.3%
63.8%
34.5%
28.3%
5.2%
7.9%
1996
56.4%
59.2%
31.4%
26.3%
12.2%
14.4%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
CATHOLIC CHURCH
14.4%
15.2%
4.9%
6.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.3%
0.9%
4.7%
4.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.7%
2.4%
2.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.8%
2.9%
2.7%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.6%
0.3%
1.4%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.9%
2.3%
3.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
2.0%
2.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.3%
0.5%
3.8%
3.8%
Weather
Seattle and Portland both have similar climates, characterized as Oceanic, featuring cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. However, Seattle tends to be slightly cooler and rainier than Portland. Those who enjoy the occasional snowy winter would feel more at home in Seattle.
Weather and climate
Type
Seattle
Portland
Temperature - Average
52.5°F
53.9°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.5%
76.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
38%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
44%
Precipitation - Yearly average
36.6 in
41.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
21.4 in
12.8 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
11.6%
11.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.4%
54.7%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
44%
52%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
72%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
20%
20%
Wind speed - Average
8.6 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Seattle, Washington
Average climate in Portland, Oregon
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Seattle
Portland
Seattle
Portland
2018
82
79
0.21
0.26
10.6
8.8
20.7
21.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.3
7.2
0.7
0.4
2017
92
93
0.23
0.26
11.1
8.7
21.0
22.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
7.1
0.3
0.4
2016
67
72
0.22
0.25
11.9
8.7
20.3
20.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.6
5.2
0.6
0.2
2015
81
91
0.23
0.28
10.8
9.2
19.3
20.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
7.4
0.8
0.5
2014
75
91
0.24
0.24
11.5
8.5
19.5
21.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
6.3
N/A
0.8
2013
81
85
0.24
0.29
N/A
9.6
17.4
17.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
8.6
0.8
1.1
2012
77
78
0.23
0.30
N/A
9.1
19.5
21.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.7
7.4
1.0
0.6
2011
72
89
0.24
0.34
N/A
9.4
18.6
18.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.5
8.1
1.1
0.8
2010
71
80
0.24
0.33
N/A
9.1
18.0
19.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
6.4
1.1
1.4
2009
94
95
0.27
0.32
N/A
10.2
17.7
20.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.0
8.4
1.4
1.6
2008
80
101
0.30
0.34
N/A
10.9
17.8
19.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.5
8.8
1.3
1.0
2007
83
101
0.30
0.35
N/A
11.4
18.2
18.1
N/A
N/A
20.3
N/A
7.9
8.8
1.5
1.3
2006
98
106
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.6
N/A
8.7
7.8
N/A
1.5
2005
101
96
0.80
N/A
18.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.5
N/A
9.5
8.9
3.5
1.7
2004
102
92
0.81
N/A
17.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
9.8
3.0
N/A
2003
91
77
0.78
N/A
18.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.008
N/A
N/A
9.9
8.6
2.4
N/A
2002
87
68
0.82
N/A
19.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.010
N/A
N/A
11.7
8.4
2.7
N/A
2001
88
73
0.90
N/A
20.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.005
0.008
N/A
N/A
12.3
8.9
3.7
N/A
2000
98
52
1.06
N/A
20.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.3
N/A
3.2
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Seattle
Portland
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
5.5%
8.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
1,394.2%
1,575.5%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
30%
9%
Transportation
Seattle's public transit includes the extensive King County Metro system and the Link Light Rail. Portland boasts a wide-ranging public transit system with TriMet buses, MAX Light Rail, Portland Streetcar, making it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S.
Transport
Type
Seattle
Portland
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
1
804
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
6
Means of transportation to work
Type
Seattle
Portland
Bicycle
2.1%
3.1%
Bus
8.9%
4.6%
Carpooled
8.7%
9.4%
Car alone
67.8%
76.2%
Ferryboat
0.7%
0%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Railroad
1.2%
0.9%
Streetcar
0.3%
0.3%
Subway
0.6%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
8%
3.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Seattle
Portland
Average
35 min
28.8 min
Other means
23.5 min
21.8 min
Public transportation
35.6 min
38.2 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Seattle
Portland
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
89%
88.2%
In 2 person carpool
8.7%
8.4%
In 3 person carpool
0.8%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.2%
0.8%
In 5-6 person carpool
1.1%
0.6%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.4%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Seattle's housing market is competitive and more expensive compared to Portland, where the housing market is somewhat less costly and increasingly attractive to remote workers and young families seeking affordability.
Neighborhoods
Both Seattle and Portland offer diverse neighborhoods with a mix of historic and contemporary architecture. Seattle's neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Queen Anne are well-known, while Portland’s Alberta Arts District and Hawthorne are notable for their unique character.
Houses and residents
Type
Seattle
Portland
Houses
384,799
303,483
Average household size (people)
2.1
2.3
Median year apartment built
1987
1976
Median year house/condo built
1955
1954
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.4 years
12.1 years
Houses occupied
351,650 (91.4%)
286,734 (94.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
161,587 (46%)
153,121 (53.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
190,063 (54%)
133,613 (46.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,780
$1,917
Median monthly housing costs
$1,984
$1,535
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$860,506
$248,225
Estimated median house or condo value
$848,100
$520,200
Median numbers of rooms
4.1
4.8
Median number of rooms in apartments
3
3.4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$568,464
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$764,579
$576,814
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$719,049
$426,181
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$626,370
$466,898
Median house price - mobile homes
$226,727
$136,996
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
Over $1,000,000
$126,313
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$925,507
$416,951
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$544,799
Median house age
47
56
Renting percentage
51.9%
46.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
4,587.9
2,259.4
House value disparities
20.6%
23.1%
Household income disparities
42.2%
44.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$189,767
$122,948
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$112,771
$72,663
Housing units without a mortgage
2,459 (2.1%)
2,404 (2.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,354 (10.5%)
11,239 (10.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
115,481 (97.9%)
108,864 (97.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
240 (0.2%)
396 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,881 (11.8%)
12,832 (11.5%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
8
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.2%
1.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.4%
0.9%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Seattle
Portland
One, detached
39.6%
53.3%
One, attached
6.0%
5.7%
Two
2.0%
3.5%
3 or 4
3.2%
4.5%
5 to 9
5.7%
4.0%
10 to 19
7.0%
4.7%
20 to 49
11.9%
6.6%
50 or more
24.4%
16.2%
Mobile homes
0.1%
1.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
24,994
25,437
State government workers
27,235
15,615
Unpaid family workers
947
688
Industries and Occupations
Seattle's economy is dominated by technology, aerospace, and healthcare with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing. Conversely, Portland's economy leans more towards manufacturing, with companies like Nike and Intel and a rapidly growing tech scene.
Both cities excel in healthcare provisions. Seattle is home to the well-known University of Washington Medical Center, while Portland hosts the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, providing high-quality healthcare services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Seattle
Portland
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Seattle's infrastructure is notable for its extensive ferry system and the iconic Space Needle. In contrast, Portland is known for its well-planned bike-friendly streets and bridges. Both cities offer modern utilities and services, including high-speed internet and efficient waste management.
Infrastructure
Type
Seattle
Portland
Hospitals
22
21
TV stations
17
18
Arenas or stadiums
5
3
Bank branches located here
236
208
Bank institutions located here
37
30
Main business address for public companies
54
32
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
3
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Seattle
Portland
1999
1,357
1,922
2000
1,148
1,651
2001
890
1,193
2002
840
1,235
2003
1,421
1,844
2004
1,810
2,651
2005
2,341
3,396
2006
2,789
3,510
2007
2,273
3,008
2008
1,113
1,465
2009
748
712
Culture and Food
Seattle and Portland both have rich cultural scenes. Seattle is known for its music scene, coffee culture, and seafood, while Portland is celebrated for its craft breweries, food trucks, and indie music scene.
Sports Teams
Seattle offers more options for sports enthusiasts with the Seahawks (NFL), Mariners (MLB), Sounders (MLS), and recently added Kraken (NHL). Portland is home to the Trail Blazers (NBA), Timbers (MLS), and Thorns (NWSL).
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
Seattle, WA and 
Portland, OR : 146.0 miles
