Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 68,505 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 39.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 46.9% | 9.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.2% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $76,174 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $52,125 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $561,069 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Portland
11.1%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. 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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