Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.5 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 89.9% | 80.1% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 3.1% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $61,587 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 11.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $561,069 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 46.7% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 46.5°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 47.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 21.4 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 222 in Cheyenne. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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