What is the cost of living in Portland, ME?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Portland has an overall cost of living index of 120, which is 1.2x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Maine, Portland has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Maine's index of 99.
The standard of living in Portland ranks as #29 most affordable out of the 32 places we measured in Maine. By definition, that implies Portland ranks as the #3 most expensive place in the Pine Tree State.
For more reading on life in Portland, check out:
Portland Cost Of Living Vs. Maine
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Portland. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Portland is 105.
The Groceries index in Portland is 103.
The Health index in Portland is 156.
The Housing index in Portland is 103.
The Transportation index in Portland is 109.
The Utilities index in Portland is 106.
| Living Expense | Portland | Maine | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 120 | 99 | 100 |
| Services | 105 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 156 | 92 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 105 | 100 |
Portland Cost Of Living Compared To Maine Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Maine, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Portland Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Portland, ME Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Maine, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Portland is $557,760.
The Median Rent in Portland is $1,577.
The Median Income in Portland is $79,540.
The Home Value To Income in Portland is 7.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Portland is 0.24x.
Portland, ME Costs By Category
Detailed Portland Services costs vs. Maine
Detailed Portland Groceries costs vs. Maine
Detailed Portland Health costs vs. Maine
Detailed Portland Transportation costs vs. Maine
Portland SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Portland
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Portland. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
South Portland, ME has a cost of living index of 119, 1.0x Portland.
Saco, ME has a cost of living index of 114, 0.9x Portland.
Westbrook, ME has a cost of living index of 109, 0.9x Portland.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME | 26,930 | 119 | 1.0x |
| Saco, ME | 20,819 | 114 | 0.9x |
| Westbrook, ME | 20,775 | 109 | 0.9x |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 9,244 | 110 | 0.9x |
| Gorham, ME | 7,593 | 117 | 1.0x |
| Yarmouth, ME | 6,289 | 127 | 1.1x |
