Portland ME vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Portland
80.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 49.2 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 80.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 9.0% | 2.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $59,120 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $858,307 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 450 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2150 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 72.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 23.2 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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