Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Portland
11.1%
White
Durham
44.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 68,505 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.1% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 34.4% | 9.0% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 3.1% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $76,174 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $561,069 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 46.7% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
36.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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