Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Portland
11.1%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 68,505 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.1% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $561,069 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 47.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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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