Portland ME vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Portland +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Portland
80.1%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 26,509 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.7 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 50.3% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 284 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1992 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 36.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 28.3 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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