Burien, WA vs Portland, ME
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Burien
64.2
#1708 nationally
Portland
72.9
#814 nationally
Portland leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 27.5 min). Portland leads in walk score (65 vs 52). Portland leads in cost of living index (118 vs 139).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Burien, WA | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.2 (#1708) | 72.9 (#814) |
| Population | 50,730 | 68,408 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $643,360 | $566,902 |
| Median Household Income | $84,583 | $71,853 |
| Average Commute | 27.5 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 65 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 139 | 118 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+36.3 |
D
64.2 Score
Burien, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$643,360
Population
50,730
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Burien, WA →
C-
72.9 Score
Portland, ME
Foodie paradise on the coast
Median Home
$566,902
Population
68,408
Crime
Low
Schools
B+
Northeast
View Portland, ME →