City comparison
No. Portland's crime index is 265 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Portland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,655 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
Denver and Portland are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,831 in Denver and $1,655 in Portland, and median household income lands at $94,718 versus $90,919. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Portland is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Denver makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Portland is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Denver and Portland are 981 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,655 a month in Portland, down $176 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $90,919 in Portland, down $3,799 (4%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 265 in Portland, down 6 points (2%).
The move
Portland and Denver are 981 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $176 a month (11%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $94,718 in Denver, up $3,799 (4%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 271 in Denver, up 6 points (2%).
Denver, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Portland, OR
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Denver and Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
10% cheaper
Portland rent is 10% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Portland
Winner$1,655/mo
Typical rent runs $1,655 a month in Portland versus $1,831 in Denver, so Portland is 10% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,112, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Portland still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.
Planning to buy in Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Denver's median income is 4% higher than Portland
Denver
Winner$94,718
Portland
$90,919
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $90,919 in Portland, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Denver (about $3,799 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Portland's crime index is 2% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Portland
Winner265 (100 = avg)
Portland's crime index is 265 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Portland. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Portland, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
10% more comfortable
Portland weather is 10% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Denver averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Denver averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland averages around 60°F. Portland scores 10% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Denver if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Portland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 10% cheaper here at about $1,655 a month. Choose Portland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Portland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (60°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 10%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Portland is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Portland is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Denver (265 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Portland at $1,655/month versus $1,831 in Denver ($176 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 against $90,919 in Portland, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Portland rent at $1,655/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $90,919 in Portland.
Portland clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Denver deserves a serious look only when your $94,718 income offer in Denver outweighs saving $176/month in Portland.
With rent only $176 apart, neither city wins on housing alone — let income ($94,718 vs $90,919) and safety (30/100 vs 30/100) break the tie.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Portland when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Portland, plus other cities in CO and OR.
