Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Portland
11.1%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 68,505 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 11.1% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.4% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 3.1% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $76,174 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 11.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $561,069 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 46.7% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.8% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.3% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 47.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA