Portland ME vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Waco
9.8%
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 9.8% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 54.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.0% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $51,468 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $28,819 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 24.0% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 28.6% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 442 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2339 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 36.8% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 20.4% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 66.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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