Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Portland
11.1%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 68,505 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 11.1% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.9% | 9.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 3.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,587 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $561,069 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 46.7% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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