Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Portland
11.1%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 68,505 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 11.1% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.8% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.2% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 3.1% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $76,174 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $561,069 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.7% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.8% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 47.3 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. 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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