Since I moved back to Portland I’ve been wondering how it compares with Boston in terms of space and population. So I did a little comparison. (Click on the image above for a more detailed look)

Yes, I realize that makes me a complete landscape architecture nerd, but so be it! The city limits of Portland encompass Boston and eight nearby towns, including Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, Newton, and Malden (which are outlined in red). Put another way, you could fit all of those cities and towns within the geographic boundaries of the City of Portland.

However, when you compare population between the City of Portland (green bar) and the equivalent geographic area around Boston, Massachusetts (red bar) of approximately 145 square miles, the Boston area contains twice as many people – 1.1 million to Portland’s 529,000 (based on the 2000 census).

Next… a comparison of walking distances between what I currently do now and what I did on a daily basis in Boston. I know! I know! You’re on the edge of your seat.