Albany GA vs Portland ME — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Albany
18.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Portland
3.1%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 18.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 76.3% | 9.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $561,069 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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