Portland ME vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Westminster
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 8.2% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 74.7% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.2% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $51,982 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 44.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 512 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 3234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Westminster
27.7%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 27.7% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | 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 +
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 28.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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