City comparison
No. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 265 in Portland, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Portland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,655 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Portland and Atlanta split most clearly. Atlanta scores 68 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,655 in Portland and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Portland is the easier city on typical rent, but Atlanta can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Atlanta has rougher pockets and Portland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Portland and Atlanta are 2,169 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $56 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $85,652 in Atlanta, down $5,267 (6%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 197 in Atlanta, down 68 points (26%).
The move
Atlanta and Portland are 2,169 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,655 a month in Portland, down $56 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $90,919 in Portland, up $5,267 (6%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 265 in Portland, up 68 points (35%).
Portland, OR
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Portland and Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Portland rent is 3% cheaper than Atlanta
Portland
Winner$1,655/mo
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Typical rent runs $1,655 a month in Portland versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Portland is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $56, or $672 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Portland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Portland's median income is 6% higher than Atlanta
Portland
Winner$90,919
Atlanta
$85,652
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $85,652 in Atlanta, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Portland (about $5,267 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
26% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 26% lower than Portland
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% lower in Atlanta. 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, Atlanta 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
3% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 3% more comfortable than Portland
Portland
60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. Atlanta averages around 61°F. Atlanta scores 3% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Portland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% 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.
Portland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($90,919). Start with Portland 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
Pick Atlanta if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat Portland on this page's weather index by 3%. Portland may pay more or cost less, but Atlanta is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 26% lower than Portland (197 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Atlanta leads on safety (39/100 vs 30/100 in Portland). Typical rent is $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,655 in Portland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (39/100 in Atlanta vs 30/100 in Portland), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Portland and 61°F in Atlanta.
Atlanta is ahead on safety (39/100 vs 30/100); Portland is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,655/month rent plus $90,919 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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