Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 68,505 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 49.4% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.7% | 9.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 3.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $561,069 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 18.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. 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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