Portland, ME vs Raleigh, NC
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.
Portland
72.9
#814 nationally
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Portland leads in walk score (65 vs 31). Raleigh leads in median household income ($82,424 vs $71,853). Portland leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 24.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Portland, ME | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#814) | 71 (#1035) |
| Population | 68,408 | 470,763 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $566,902 | $435,237 |
| Median Household Income | $71,853 | $82,424 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 31 |
| Crime Level | Low | 32.0 |
| School Rating | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 118 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+36.3 | D+25.6 |
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 →
C-
71 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →