City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 265 in Portland, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Portland is significant: $61,953 median household versus $90,919. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,655 in Portland.
Philadelphia is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Portland makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Philadelphia is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Portland are 2,406 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $258 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $90,919 in Portland, up $28,966 (47%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 265 in Portland, up 4 points (2%).
The move
Portland and Philadelphia are 2,406 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $258 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $28,966 (32%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 261 in Philadelphia, down 4 points (2%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 16% cheaper than Portland
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Portland
$1,655/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,655 in Portland, so Philadelphia is 16% 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 $3,096, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Philadelphia still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Portland.
Planning to buy in Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
47% higher
Portland's median income is 47% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Portland
Winner$90,919
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Portland (about $28,966 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 2% lower than Portland
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Portland. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Philadelphia weather is 6% more comfortable than Portland
Philadelphia
Winner59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Portland
57°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 78/100
Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs); Portland averages about 57°F (64°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Philadelphia scores 6% 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 Portland if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat Portland on this page's weather index by 6%. Portland may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Philadelphia 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 Portland (261 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 and professional growth
Portland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 47% higher here ($90,919). Start with Portland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Pay is the headline: Portland median income is $90,919 versus $61,953 in Philadelphia (32% higher). Rent still runs $1,655/month in Portland and $1,397/month in Philadelphia, so the wage edge only helps if your offer matches Portland rates.
Portland still pays more locally ($90,919 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Portland rates.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Philadelphia and 57°F in Portland.
Pick Portland when your field pays toward $90,919 median income. Otherwise, Philadelphia's case rests on a $1,397 lease that leaves more room in the monthly budget.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Philadelphia when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Portland, plus other cities in PA and OR.
