Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Portland
11.1%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 68,505 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 11.1% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 4.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.2% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 3.1% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $76,174 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,587 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $561,069 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 46.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 47.3 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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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