Portland ME vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 80.1% | 63.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $45,180 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 12.5% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 35.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $570,934 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 460 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2417 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 28.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.5% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.9% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 53.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 22.3 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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