Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gresham, OR
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Gresham leads 14 of 23 categories
Gresham
Oregon
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$69,437
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High
Population
113,525 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gresham, OR
Pros
Homes cost $165k less ($411,700 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $412/mo less ($1,452 vs $1,864)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $22,855/yr
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $22,855 more per year on average
17% less violent crime than Gresham
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Gresham
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Gresham
Median Home Value
$165k less
$411,700 vs $576,800
Gresham
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 81.6°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$22,855
$92,292 vs $69,437/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
17% lower
339.2 vs 410.2 per 100k
Renton
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $411,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,452⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,437 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 18.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.2% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gresham-Barlow SD 10J | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 46.7°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.6°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.7" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.4" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,525 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 37.3 ✓ Older | 36.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% ✓ Higher | 53.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.4% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.7% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gresham's cost of living index is 106.6 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Gresham is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gresham leads 14 of 23 categories. Gresham wins 14 and Renton wins 9. 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 Gresham to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($411,700 vs $576,800 median home), income ($69,437 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gresham, OR and Renton, WA are about 137 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.