Cost of Living Comparison for Portland, ME
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Portland's cost of living index is 119 — 19% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Portland local data
How Portland Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Portland stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Portland, ME | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $480,000 | $420,800 | +14.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,850 | $1,713 | +8.0% |
| Median Household Income | $72,600 | $74,580 | -2.7% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.10% | 1.10% | +0.0% |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 100 | +19.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Portland Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 550,000
- Unemployment
- 3.0%
- Avg Commute
- 22 min
- Median Age
- 40.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 21.6x
- Annual Property Tax
- $5,280
Frequently Asked Questions — Portland
What is the median home price in Portland, ME?
The median home price in Portland is $480,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Portland?
Median monthly rent in Portland is $1,850. That works out to $22,200/year, or 31% of the median household income — above the recommended 30% threshold.
Is Portland affordable?
Portland's cost of living index is 119 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $72,600/year and a median home price of $480,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.6x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Portland household.
What is the property tax rate in Portland?
The effective property tax rate in Portland is 1.10% of assessed value. On the median home of $480,000, that's roughly $5,280/year ($440/month).