Portland, ME vs Waxhaw, 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
Waxhaw
65.9
#1604 nationally
Waxhaw leads in median household income ($124,711 vs $71,853). Portland leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 31.3 min). Portland leads in cost of living index (118 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Portland, ME | Waxhaw, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#814) | 65.9 (#1604) |
| Population | 68,408 | 23,073 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $566,902 | $717,174 |
| Median Household Income | $71,853 | $124,711 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | N/A |
| Crime Level | Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 7.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 118 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+36.3 | R+25.3 |
Data coverage note: Waxhaw is missing data for 1 metric that Portland has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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
65.9 Score
Waxhaw, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$717,174
Population
23,073
Crime
Low
Median Income
$124,711
Southeast
View Waxhaw, NC →