New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Portland
80.1%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 68,505 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 84.3% | 80.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 3.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,587 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $561,069 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 46.7% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
34.6%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.1% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 47.3 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 21.4 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. 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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