Portland ME vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.9 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 80.1% | 66.9% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.9% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.1% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 11.6% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $865,610 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 28.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 29.0% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 20.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.6% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 65.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 28.0 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. 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%.
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