Portland ME vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $58,568 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $31,987 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 17.4% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 25.0% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, 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 +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 35.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.6% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 16.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.9% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 63.4°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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%.
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