Portland ME vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Portland
80.1%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Portland
9.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 460 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2417 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 28.6% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.8% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.1% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.8% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 52.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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