Portland ME vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 10.0% | Portland + |
| White | 80.1% | 66.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $63,072 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $35,958 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 15.9% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 30.9% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 449 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 2174 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 39.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.6% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.9% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 57.0°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. 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%.
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