New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Portland
11.1%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 68,505 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 11.1% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 30.6% | 9.0% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 3.1% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,587 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $561,069 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 47.3 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in New Haven. 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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