Portland ME vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 80.1% | 49.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 51.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $708,498 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Stamford
156
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 156 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1524 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 52.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 53.2 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 30.1 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, 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 156 in Stamford. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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