Portland, ME vs South Portland, ME

Portland, ME and South Portland, ME have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Portland scores 119 while South Portland scores 120 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Portland is $1,487/month compared to $1,648/month in South Portland — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Portland has cheaper rent, South Portland actually has lower median home values ($405,800 vs $452,600).

Median household income in Portland is $76,174 compared to $84,563 in South Portland (-9.9%). While South Portland is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Portland spend roughly 23.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.4% in South Portland.

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