Portland ME vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 80.1% | 50.4% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.7% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 49.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $1,006,261 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.5% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 61.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 25.9 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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