Compare Denver to Portland: Which City is Better for Living or Visiting
The cities of Denver and Portland share many of the same attributes. Playgrounds for outdoorsy types, as well as for those who love music and beer. Both cities seem to share a common culture that can best be described as people wearing Patagonia jackets.
I have a good amount of experience in both of these cities. I lived and worked in Denver for five years. And recently, I spent extensive time working remotely from Portland, and my sister lives there full-time. Continue reading this article if you’d like to decide for yourself which city is better for living or visiting.
Denver vs. Portland: Full Comparison
In order to compare Denver to Portland, we will review each city side by side with a list of pros and cons.
Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City tends to attract people with a passion for the outdoors. With great weather and easy access to the Rocky Mountains, Denver is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, biking, camping, fishing, skiing, and the like. Now that we’ve gotten that cliche out of the way, it’s important to note that Denver is also an amazing city for tech companies, arts, and breweries.
✅ Nice Weather – There is a misconception about Denver that it’s always cold and covered in snow. If you drive 1.5 hours into the mountains, yes, there will be a lot of snow, but not so much within this city. In fact, Colorado is the 5th sunniest state in the country and the winters in Denver are mild compared to much of the United States. Summertime is pleasant as well, with very little humidity that makes even the hottest days much more bearable.
✅ Great Job Market – Denver is ranked 4th in the US for business and careers, according to Forbes. The emerging tech scene brings many high-paying jobs along with it, contributing to Colorado’s rank as number 10 among all states in per capita income. The average annual salary in Denver is $64,889, which is higher than the national average of $56,310.
✅ Young Population – More than two-thirds of residents are under the age of 45, which is why Denver is one of the best cities for Millenials. This helps create a culture of more entertainment, fun events, and high energy.
✅ Sports Town – Sports fans can enjoy watching live games all year round, as Denver is home to a team of every major league. The downtown area boasts excellent venues for professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and lacrosse.
✅ Outdoor Activities – With direct access to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains, Denver is ideal for nature lovers. But you don’t need to leave the city limits to enjoy the outdoors. Residents of Denver love hanging out in its many public parks, biking along the Cherry Creek Trail, and rafting on the South Platte River.
❌ Housing Prices – While living in Denver is a cheaper alternative to New York and California cities, housing costs are still 38% higher than the national average. The rapidly growing population has caused gentrification in most neighborhoods, with the median home listing price at $562,500 according to the most recent data from Realtor.com.
❌ High Altitude – The Mile High City is no joke, as it actually sits 5,280 feet above sea level. This can cause health issues such as headaches, nosebleeds, dry skin, altitude sickness, and difficulty exercising. You will also be closer to the sun and its UV rays, so sunscreen is needed even during the winter months.
❌ Traffic – The highways and streets around Denver were not built to accommodate thousands of new residents and millions of visitors each year. The average commute time during the week is 1-1.5 hours. On weekends, traffic to the mountains can be a real nightmare, with 1.5-hour drives easily turning into 6-hour drives.
❌ Droughts and Wildfires – Like many states in the Western US, Colorado is experiencing heavy droughts. The city of Denver often implements outdoor watering requirements during the summer months in order to keep reservoir levels high. The dryness can lead to wildfires and smoke throughout the state, resulting in poor air quality days.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city that takes the West Coast lifestyle to another level. Known for its progressive politics, this Pacific Northwest city is full of people who celebrate individuality and creativity. You can enjoy Portland’s natural beauty while you indulge in the coffee shops and food stands that are found all over the city.
✅ Laid-back Personality – The overall vibe of Portland is very relaxed. Residents of Portland have a strong work ethic, but put a lot of focus on work-life balance. You won’t see everyone downtown wearing suits as you would in New York City, but rather more casual attire such as jeans or khakis.
✅ No Sales Tax – You know how when you read the price of a menu item, you always expect to pay more than the amount listed after tax? In Portland, you don’t need to worry about that. If the menu at Chipotle says your burrito is $7.50, then you will actually end up paying $7.50.
✅ Charming Neighborhoods – In most other cities, you would default to the downtown core to experience the best the city has to offer. It’s better to explore Portland by way of its beautiful and lively neighborhoods outside of downtown. Prominent streets like Alberta Street or Hawthorne Boulevard are full of coffee shops, microbreweries, and mom-and-pop boutiques that encapsulate the Portland culture.
✅ Environmentally Friendly – Portland is consistently ranked as the greenest and most sustainable city in the United States. There is a high rate of renewable energy usage here at over 43%. Portland has historically been a pioneer in this department, it was even the first city to enact a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
✅ Outdoor Fun – The official nickname of Portland is “the City of Roses” thanks to its Pacific Northwest climate, ideal for growing the flower. You can find many public rose gardens and parks throughout the city. A quick road trip outside the city and you’ll be in some of the most unique natural areas in the country such as the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, or a temperate rainforest.
❌ Homelessness – Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room, which is the ongoing homeless crisis in Portland. When it comes to this controversial issue, most Portlanders toe the line between being sympathetic and being frustrated. The unfortunate reality of this crisis is that there are health and safety concerns associated with it.
❌ Gray Skies – I once spent a month in Portland and didn’t see a single blue sky. For me, this is a bit of a deal breaker. The weather is frequently rainy, overcast, and just plain gray. Certain people may thrive in this type of weather, but for many others, it can bring on depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
❌ Lack of Diversity – For as progressive of a city as Portland is, you might be surprised to learn that it’s actually the 4th-least racially diverse city in the US. The population is 78% white, but people here are generally accepting of all cultures. Portland is also known as being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country.
❌ No Air Conditioning – You heard that right, most homes and apartments in Portland do not include built-in A/C units. This could become a bigger problem as the previous two summers saw record-breaking heat, with 2022 tying a record for most days of triple-digit temperates. In 2021, at least 96 people died in Oregon as a result of the heat wave. A preliminary analysis found that most of the victims were living alone and without air conditioning units.
Denver and Portland Comparison: FAQs
Now that we’ve established the pros and cons, let’s answer some frequently asked questions. According to the internet, these are the questions people ask the most when comparing Portland and Denver.
Which Has the Larger Population, Denver or Portland?
The population of Denver proper is 735,538. Portland is a little smaller with 641,162 inhabitants in the city.
If you look at the total metropolitan areas, Denver still has a larger population. The Denver metro is home to 2.93 million residents, whereas Portland’s metropolitan area population is 2.52 million.
Are Denver and Portland similar?
Overall, yes, Denver and Portland share a lot of similarities. Including:
- Nearby mountains
- Western Region
- Mild climate
- Many breweries
- Outdoorsy culture
- Legal recreational marijuana
- Hipster vibes
- Large city park system
- Hot real estate market
- Population growth
- Casual dress code
Which City Has a Higher Homeless Population?
According to the most recent point-in-time survey, the Denver metropolitan area has 6,884 homeless people, while there are 6,663 people experiencing homelessness in metro Portland. However, Denver (population of 735,538) is a larger city than Portland (population of 641,162), so Portland has a higher per-capita homeless population. This makes the situation certainly feel more prevalent in Portland.
Is it More Expensive to Live in Denver or Portland?
It is more expensive to live in Denver than it is in Portland. With both average home listing and rent prices higher in Denver, the cheaper option is Portland.
Portland and Denver Crime Rate?
When it comes to crime, Portland is the safer city. Your chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Denver are 1 in 103, compared to 1 in 133 in Portland. It is important to note that crime tends to be on the rise in both cities, with Portland recording its all-time high for homicides in 2022.
Denver vs Portland Size?
Denver is only slightly bigger in terms of total land area. The Mile High City occupies 154 square miles; Portland occupies 145 square miles.
Denver vs. Portland: Cost of Living
According to the website Numbeo, which calculates the cost of living without rent, Portland is 1.6% more expensive than Denver. However, after you add housing costs to the mix, Denver is the overall more expensive city.
Housing Costs
Since many young people moving to these Millennial-centric cities may be looking to rent a living space, let’s have a look at average rent prices first. My sister ultimately chose to move to Portland because the rent was cheaper than her other top picks (Denver and Austin). The average rent price in Denver is $1,997, compared to the lower average rent in Portland, which is $1,779.
When looking at median home listing prices, Denver is more expensive again. If you want to buy a house in Denver, the median listing price is $565k. You may have better luck finding a good deal in Portland, where the median home listing price is $525k.
Getting Around
The public transportation service in Denver is called RTD. You can buy a monthly pass for unlimited rides on the bus and light rail for $114. TriMet, the transit service in Portland, sells a monthly pass for $100.
Food Costs
Also according to data from Numbeo, the monthly recommended minimum amount of money for food per person in Denver is $434.44. Food costs in Portland are a bit higher at $455.25 per month.
Best Things To Do In Denver
✔️ Larimer Square – This is about as historic as it gets since it’s Denver’s first city block. Check out some old buildings, upscale restaurants, and boutique shops in this fun little area.
✔️ Union Station – There’s a lot to do in this huge building, which was newly renovated in 2014 after originally being built in 1881. There are a few places to grab a cocktail, such as Terminal Bar. Or, kill some time by admiring the architecture of the station or playing a free game of shuffleboard.
✔️ Denver Botanic Gardens – Walk through this garden of flora from around the world featuring a tropical biosphere, conservatory, and Japanese tea garden.
✔️ Microbreweries – 150 breweries can be found in Denver. Visit the city’s first brewpub at Wynkoop or sip on a “Juicy Banger” at Station 26.
✔️ Coors Field – Conveniently located in the downtown LoDo district, Coors Field is a great place to catch a baseball game or simply gaze upon the skyline and mountain views.
✔️ Denver Museum of Nature & Science – One of the most entertaining museums you’ll ever visit. Exhibits showcasing dinosaur fossils, Colorado wildlife, and mummies can be found in this City Park museum.
✔️ Washington Park – Or simply “Wash Park” if you want to sound like a local. Walk or jog along 155 acres of green space including two lakes.
✔️ Dairy Block – This downtown micro-district named after Windsor Dairy (the area’s former tenant) contains a hotel, food hall, art gallery, and walkable alley with a European vibe.
✔️ River North Art District (RiNo) – This hip neighborhood has all the trendy restaurants, bars, and shops you could ask for. You can also stroll through the vibrant alleys, all covered in murals and paintings.
✔️ Meow Wolf Convergence Station – A relatively new Denver attraction, Meow Wolf is a 4-story immersive art installation. This trippy and unique experience is something you need to see to fully understand.
Best Things To Do In Portland
✔️ International Rose Test Garden – See and smell over 10,000 roses in the country’s oldest official continuously operated rose garden. The views of the skyline and mountains from here aren’t bad either.
✔️ Powell’s City of Books – This is an essential part of any visit to Portland. Located in the heart of the city, Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the world.
✔️ Pittock Mansion – This beautiful French Renaissance-style mansion is now a museum showcasing Portland’s history. The lawn surrounding the building is a great picnic spot with picture-perfect views of the city.
✔️ Portland Saturday Market – The largest continuously operating arts & crafts market in the United States. A panel of judges inspects the quality of each product sold here, so you know you’re buying the best stuff.
✔️ Forest Park – If you’d like to experience nature without leaving the city, Forest Park is the answer. The 5,300-acre park has more than 40 access points around Portland and over 80 miles of trails.
✔️ Portland Art Museum – Located in the center of Downtown Portland’s cultural district, this museum is one of the oldest art galleries in the US. The Portland Art Museum was founded in 1892 and houses over 50,00 pieces from ancient times to today.
✔️ Voodoo Doughnut – This unconventional doughnut shop now has a few locations in other cities, but the original in Downtown Portland has become a landmark of the city. Voodoo and its wacky flavors have been consistently mentioned in the national press since first opening in 2003.
✔️ White Stag Sign – Take a picture with this iconic sign located in Old Town. Illuminated with neon and incandescent lightbulbs, the “Portland Oregon” sign was designated a historic landmark in 1977.
✔️ Pearl District – One of the most-loved areas in Portland is the trendy Pearl District. Walk around and explore shops and art galleries during the day, then stay after dark for some of the city’s best nightlife.
✔️ Chinese and Japanese Gardens – Immerse yourself in Asian culture from within the city. The Lan Su Chinese Garden captures the imperial style of the Ming Dynasty. The 5.5 acres of the Portland Japanese Garden feature some of the most authentic designs you will find outside of Japan.
Conclusion: Denver and Portland Compared
At the end of the day, making a selection between these two cities comes down to personal preference. Denver and Portland are similar in a lot of ways, but everyone is different. I suggest going through the pros and cons and figuring out what’s most important to you.
If possible, pay a visit to each city. This will allow you to get a feel for each city’s unique vibe and see if it’s a good fit for your needs.
Personally, Denver is my favorite of the two. Denver is sunny most of the time and it makes me happy. The grayness of Portland bums me out, and it’s simply too much for me to handle living there long-term. But, as I said before, to each their own. I hope this guide helps you make the decision for yourself!