Portland ME vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Portland
68,505
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 80.1% | 58.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $67,544 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $35,825 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 19.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 34.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 42.4% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 326 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 35.3% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.9% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.7% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.5% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 47.9°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 48.1 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 27.3 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. 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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