Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 68,505 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.5 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 72.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 3.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $76,174 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,587 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $561,069 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 46.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 47.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. 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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