Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Portland
11.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 68,505 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 6.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 3.1% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $561,069 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 47.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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