New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Portland
11.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 68,505 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 11.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 22.7% | 9.0% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 3.2% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 3.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $76,174 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,587 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 27.7% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.8% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
New York +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 47.3 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | 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
New York
44.2 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | New York, NY | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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