Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Orem
77.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Orem
1.9%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 68,505 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.5 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 77.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.9% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 3.1% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.4% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $561,069 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 46.7% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.3% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.8% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 18.3% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.1% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | 47.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Portland costs $561,069, which is 10% more expensive than Orem's median of $509,396. In Orem, a median home costs 7.3× the annual household income, compared to 7.4× in Portland. On public safety, Portland is 57% safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in the other city. Orem has a lower unemployment rate (4.0%), while Portland leads in median household income at $76,174. For quality of life, Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 5.9 µg/m³), and Portland has a lower obesity rate (27.7%). If you prioritize affordable housing, Orem offers 9% lower home prices while maintaining comparable income levels — making it a strong value proposition for buyers and renters alike.
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