Lewiston, ME vs Portland, ME

The cost of living difference between Lewiston, ME and Portland, ME is dramatic. Lewiston is 31.1% cheaper than Portland, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lewiston has a cost index of 82 while Portland sits at 119, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lewiston is $954/month compared to $1,487/month in Portland — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewiston is more affordable at $214,200 median vs $452,600.

Median household income in Lewiston is $56,558 compared to $76,174 in Portland (-25.8%). The higher salaries in Portland partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewiston spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.4% in Portland.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.7°F vs 47.5°F). Lewiston receives more rainfall at 50" per year compared to 48.1" in Portland.