Glendale 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)

Glendale, CA

California · Population: 192,270

  • Median HH Income$84,262
  • Median Home Price$1,205,826
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+45.5%

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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Portland
11.1%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Portland
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Portland
47.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Portland