Portland ME vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Westland
84,155
Westland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Westland
9.2%
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 84,155 | Westland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 9.2% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 63.7% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $62,216 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $33,816 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $58,052 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 13.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 21.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Westland
1590
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 471 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1590 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 34.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.0% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.3% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.6% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 27.0 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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