Portland, ME vs Ruston, LA

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

vs

Ruston

72.3

#911 nationally

Portland leads in walk score (65 vs 25). Portland leads in median household income ($71,853 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 21.2 min).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Portland, ME Ruston, LA
WhereAtHome Score 72.9 (#814) 72.3 (#911)
Population 68,408 22,233
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $566,902 $229,937
Median Household Income $71,853 $32,877
Average Commute 21.2 min 13.9 min
Walk Score 65 25
Crime Level Low 11.7
School Rating 7.4 N/A
Cost of Living Index 118 95
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+36.3 R+25.4
Portland, ME
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 →
Ruston, LA
C-
72.3 Score

Ruston, LA

Small Louisiana city with local appeal

Median Home

$229,937

Population

22,233

Crime

Moderate-High

Walk Score

25

Southeast View Ruston, LA →

Try a different matchup

Swap Portland for:

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Swap Ruston for:

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