Portland ME vs Provo UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 80.1% | 78.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.1% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $62,800 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $26,755 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $60,713 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 22.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 45.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 39.9% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Provo
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 245 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1931 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 30.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.5% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 53.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Provo. 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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