Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
11.1%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 68,505 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 11.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 28.8% | 9.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 3.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $76,174 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $52,125 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,587 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $561,069 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 46.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. 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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