Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Portland
11.1%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 68,505 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 21.6% | 9.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 3.1% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,587 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $561,069 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.3% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Portland
47.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 47.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.4 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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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