Portland ME vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 80.1% | 21.8% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.4% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $28,813 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.2% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 15.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $751,711 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2388 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 32.8% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 22.4% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 57.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 28.8 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. 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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