Portland ME vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 80.1% | 69.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.6% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $71,900 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $36,477 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.7% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 31.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 41.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 53.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 24.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. 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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