Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Gresham, OR
🏆 Gresham leads 12 of 23 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
Gresham
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,437 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
113,525 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $310k less ($101,500 vs $411,700)
Rent averages $643/mo less ($809 vs $1,452)
8% less violent crime than Gresham
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Gresham
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Cons
Median income trails Gresham by $26,302/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 5.8%)
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Gresham, OR
Pros
Households earn $26,302 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $411,700
Higher rents — median is $1,452/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Erie
Key Differences at a Glance
Erie
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 91.5 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Erie
Violent Crime
8% lower
375.6 vs 410.2 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$310k less
$101,500 vs $411,700
Gresham
Median Income
$26,302
$69,437 vs $43,135/yr
Gresham
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.8% vs 6.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Gresham, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $411,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $1,452⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $69,437 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 23.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Gresham-Barlow SD 10J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F | 46.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" | 40.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 3.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 113,525 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% | 55.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 14.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Gresham's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Erie is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gresham leads 12 of 23 categories. Erie wins 11 and Gresham wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Erie to Gresham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $411,700 median home), income ($43,135 vs $69,437), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Gresham, OR are about 2,101 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.