What is the cost of living in South Portland, ME?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, South Portland has an overall cost of living index of 119, which is 1.2x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Maine, South Portland has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Maine's index of 99.
The standard of living in South Portland ranks as #28 most affordable out of the 32 places we measured in Maine. By definition, that implies South Portland ranks as the #4 most expensive place in the Pine Tree State.
For more reading on life in South Portland, check out:
South Portland Cost Of Living Vs. Maine
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in South Portland. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in South Portland is 102.
The Groceries index in South Portland is 101.
The Health index in South Portland is 150.
The Housing index in South Portland is 100.
The Transportation index in South Portland is 110.
The Utilities index in South Portland is 106.
| Living Expense | South Portland | Maine | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 119 | 99 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 150 | 92 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 103 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 105 | 100 |
South 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 South Portland Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
South 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 South Portland is $517,131.
The Median Rent in South Portland is $1,812.
The Median Income in South Portland is $86,838.
The Home Value To Income in South Portland is 6.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in South Portland is 0.25x.
| Statistic | South Portland | Maine | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $517,131 | $407,565 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,812 | $1,139 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $86,838 | $74,733 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 6.0x | 5.5x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.25x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
South Portland, ME Costs By Category
Detailed South Portland Services costs vs. Maine
| Item | South Portland | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.17 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.07 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $17.76 | $18 |
| Haircut | $28.67 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $53.03 | $45.56 |
Detailed South Portland Groceries costs vs. Maine
| Item | South Portland | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.41 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.43 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.75 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.0 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.93 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.22 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.69 | $3.7 |
Detailed South Portland Health costs vs. Maine
| Item | South Portland | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $170.67 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $146.5 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $119.58 | $113.29 |
Detailed South Portland Transportation costs vs. Maine
| Item | South Portland | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.52 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $76.01 | $59.92 |
Detailed South Portland Utilities costs vs. Maine
| Item | South Portland | Maine |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $218.65 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $185.73 | $192.25 |
South Portland SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around South Portland
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around South Portland. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Portland, ME has a cost of living index of 120, 1.0x South Portland.
Saco, ME has a cost of living index of 114, 1.0x South Portland.
Westbrook, ME has a cost of living index of 109, 0.9x South Portland.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. South Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 68,854 | 120 | 1.0x |
| Saco, ME | 20,819 | 114 | 1.0x |
| 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 |
