Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Portland
11.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 68,505 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.9% | 9.0% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 3.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,587 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $561,069 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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