Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 68,505 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 27.4% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 60.0% | 9.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.1% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $61,587 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $561,069 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 46.7% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 47.3 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. 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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