Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and South Portland, ME Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and South Portland, ME

😐 Solo nomad: New York, NY is 71.2% more expensive than South Portland, ME without rent, and 56.8% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: New York, NY is 43.5% more expensive than South Portland, ME without rent, and 75.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.09 $30.09
$20.18 $20.18
49.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$143 $143
$69.7 $69.7
104.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.73 $12.73
$11.87 $11.87
7.25%
Cappuccino
$6.01 $6.01
$4.95 $4.95
21.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33 $3.33
$2.79 $2.79
19.35%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.31 $2.31
14.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.83 $7.83
$6.03 $6.03
29.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.97 $11.97
$6.92 $6.92
72.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 $1.57
$0.97 $0.97
61.86%
White Bread (500g)
$5.15 $5.15
$3.31 $3.31
55.59%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.26 $8.26
$5.70 $5.70
44.91%
Eggs
$7.02 $7.02
$3.90 $3.90
80.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.49 $17.49
$16.36 $16.36
6.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.56 $16.56
$10.64 $10.64
55.64%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.39 $20.39
$16.61 $16.61
22.76%
Apples (1kg)
$7.37 $7.37
$3.47 $3.47
112.39%
Banana (1kg)
$2.46 $2.46
$1.45 $1.45
69.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.67 $5.67
$4.02 $4.02
41.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$7.54 $7.54
-14.46%
Potato (1kg)
$3.86 $3.86
$3.19 $3.19
21.00%
Onion (1kg)
$3.95 $3.95
$2.93 $2.93
34.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.13 $3.13
$1.95 $1.95
60.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.61 $1.61
54.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$18.78 $18.78
$12.30 $12.30
52.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.23 $18.23
$15.30 $15.30
19.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$1.70 $1.70
73.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74 $3.74
$3.07 $3.07
21.82%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.05 $2.05
43.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$132 $132
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.86 $4.86
$2.04 $2.04
138.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.75 $1.75
25.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.87 $41.87
$28.78 $28.78
45.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 $0.97
$0.90 $0.90
7.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K $34.3K
$26.7K $26.7K
28.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K $28.1K
$24.6K $24.6K
14.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$182 $182
$212 $212
-14.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.7 $60.7
$55.3 $55.3
9.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.5 $62.5
$65.8 $65.8
-5.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$143 $143
$42.64 $42.64
234.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$65.5 $65.5
$29.40 $29.40
122.72%
Cinema Ticket
$19.78 $19.78
$15.16 $15.16
30.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,189 $3,189
$403 $403
692.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$57.1K $57.1K
$15.2K $15.2K
276.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.3 $67.3
$48.37 $48.37
39.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.64 $48.64
$34.24 $34.24
42.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 $113
$87.1 $87.1
29.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 $172
$131 $131
31.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,162 $4,162
$1,947 $1,947
113.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,667 $2,667
$1,540 $1,540
73.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,481 $8,481
$3,299 $3,299
157.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,161 $5,161
$2,610 $2,610
97.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$20.4K $20.4K
$2,719 $2,719
650.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$9,438 $9,438
$2,340 $2,340
303.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
South Portland, ME
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,201 $5,201
$3,850 $3,850
35.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.71
-4.02%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: March 1, 2026

Last update for South Portland, ME: March 2, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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