Portland, ME vs Saco, ME

Saco is moderately more affordable than Portland, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Portland scores 119 compared to 105 for Saco, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Portland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Portland is $1,487/month compared to $1,268/month in Saco — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Saco is more affordable at $370,300 median vs $452,600.

Median household income in Portland is $76,174 compared to $84,328 in Saco (-9.7%). Saco offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Portland spend roughly 23.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Saco.

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