Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Concord +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Portland
11.1%
White
Concord
54.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 68,505 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 11.1% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.1% | 9.0% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 3.2% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 3.1% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $76,174 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 11.3% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $561,069 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 46.7% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.8% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.3% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 47.3 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Concord. 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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