Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Portland
11.1%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 68,505 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.1% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 0.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.2% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 3.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 47.3 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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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