Portland ME vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Portland
80.1%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 10.3% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 9.0% | 0.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $50,592 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $60,713 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 45.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $672,082 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Sandy
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 245 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1931 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | 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 +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 24.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, 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 245 in Sandy. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, 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%.
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