Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Portland
11.1%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 68,505 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 18.3% | 9.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $76,174 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,587 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $561,069 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 46.7% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 46.5°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 47.3 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. 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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