Is Gresham or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Gresham is safer than Portland (Safety Score 22/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 55% lower. Gresham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Gresham has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gresham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gresham, OR
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gresham | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,836.9 | 6,246.7 | -3,409.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.2 | 720.5 | -310.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 10.8 | -5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 57.6 | 50.9 | +6.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.0 | 177.4 | -92.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 262.2 | 481.2 | -219.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,426.6 | 5,526.2 | -3,099.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 318.9 | 727.4 | -408.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.8 | 3,921.3 | -2,448.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 635.0 | 877.6 | -242.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gresham or Portland safer?
Gresham is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gresham has a violent crime rate of 410.2 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. Gresham has lower violent crime.
About Gresham, OR
Gresham, Oregon, a city in Multnomah County, is the fourth largest in the state. Once known as "Turkey Town" for its poultry industry, it sits at the eastern edge of the Portland metropolitan area, near the foothills of Mount Hood. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 109,452, Gresham has a total crime rate of 2,836.9 per 100,000 residents.