Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Portland
11.1%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.1% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 0.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 3.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $76,174 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 4.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 11.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 46.7% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 27.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 47.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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