Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Portland
11.1%
White
Boston
47.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 68,505 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 37.5 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 11.1% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 21.5% | 9.0% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.2% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 3.1% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $76,174 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $52,125 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,587 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1234 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 27.7% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 7.2% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.1% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 47.3 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. 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, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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