Portland, ME vs Seattle, WA
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
Seattle
66.9
#1491 nationally
Seattle leads in median household income ($110,781 vs $71,853). Portland leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 28.8 min). Portland leads in cost of living index (118 vs 158).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Portland, ME | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#814) | 66.9 (#1491) |
| Population | 68,408 | 755,078 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $566,902 | $851,471 |
| Median Household Income | $71,853 | $110,781 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 28.8 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 74 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 7.4 | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 118 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+36.3 | D+51.7 |
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 →
D
66.9 Score
Seattle, WA
Emerald City tech powerhouse
Median Home
$851,471
Population
755,078
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View Seattle, WA →