Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Portland
11.1%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 68,505 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.5 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 11.1% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.0% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 3.2% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 3.1% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $76,174 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $52,125 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 59.2% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Portland
8.3%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 27.7% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.3% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.8% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 7.2% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.3% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 47.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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