El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Portland
11.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 68,505 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 3.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 3.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,587 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $561,069 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 47.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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