Portland ME vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Roswell
92,577
Roswell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 92,577 | Roswell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.0 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 80.1% | 65.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $57,405 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $662,209 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 392 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1752 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.1% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 29.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Portland, MELos Angeles, CA vs Portland, MEChicago, IL vs Portland, MEHouston, TX vs Portland, MEPhoenix, AZ vs Portland, MEPhiladelphia, PA vs Portland, ME