Median rent is 7% lower in South Portland ($1,648/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in South Portland, where the median home runs $405,800 versus $751,700. Households earn more in South Portland ($84,563 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
South Portland, ME
How much would you need to earn in South Portland, ME to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
South Portland
Maine
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in South Portland at $1,648/mo compared to $1,779/mo in New York (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $405,800 in South Portland — 46% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 7.15% in Maine, so South Portland is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 5.50% in Maine; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
South Portland
Income tax: 7.15%
Sales tax: 5.50%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for South Portland.
Pick South Portland if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,563/yr).
Pick South Portland if you prioritize lower state income tax (7.15%).
Is New York cheaper than South Portland?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs South Portland?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,648/mo in South Portland, ME. South Portland, ME has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or South Portland?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $84,563 in South Portland, ME. South Portland, ME has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — New York or South Portland?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and Maine's is 7.15%. South Portland, ME has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in South Portland to match my New York income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology