Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
11.1%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
80.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 68,505 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 80.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,174 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $52,125 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $61,587 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $561,069 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 47.3 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. 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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