City comparison
Yes. Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 265 in Portland, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Louisville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,120 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
The income gap between Louisville and Portland is significant: $66,849 median household versus $90,919. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,120 in Louisville and $1,655 in Portland.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Louisville costs less and Portland pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Louisville at $1,120 average has pockets that run $920 and others at $1,520: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Louisville and Portland are 1,945 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $535 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $90,919 in Portland, up $24,070 (36%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 265 in Portland, up 56 points (27%).
The move
Portland and Louisville are 1,945 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,120 a month in Louisville, down $535 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $66,849 in Louisville, down $24,070 (26%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 209 in Louisville, down 56 points (21%).
Louisville, KY
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 Louisville and Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Louisville rent is 32% cheaper than Portland
Louisville
Winner$1,120/mo
Portland
$1,655/mo
Typical rent runs $1,120 a month in Louisville versus $1,655 in Portland, so Louisville is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $535/month back in your pocket ($6,420/year). Over five years that's $32,100 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Portland, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Louisville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Louisville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
36% higher
Portland's median income is 36% higher than Louisville
Louisville
$66,849
Portland
Winner$90,919
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 36% higher in Portland (about $24,070 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Portland is the stronger labor market on paper. Louisville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
21% lower crime
Louisville's crime index is 21% lower than Portland
Louisville
Winner209 (100 = avg)
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in Louisville. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Louisville is the easier city. Portland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
15% more comfortable
Portland weather is 15% more comfortable than Louisville
Louisville
56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland averages around 60°F. Portland scores 15% 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 Louisville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Louisville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,120 a month. Choose Louisville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Louisville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Portland (209 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 36% higher ($90,919), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,120/month in Louisville versus $1,655 in Portland. Median income reads $66,849 in Louisville and $90,919 in Portland, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Louisville rent at $1,120/month is still below Portland's $1,655, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 38/100 in Louisville and 30/100 in Portland.
Louisville clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Portland deserves a serious look only when your $90,919 income offer in Portland outweighs saving $535/month in Louisville.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Louisville and Portland, plus other cities in KY and OR.
