πA single person spends $2,823 per month in South Portland, ME vs $4,438 in New York, NY, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,103 per month in South Portland, ME vs $7,016 in New York, NY, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,382 per month in South Portland, ME vs $9,593 in New York, NY, rent included.
πSouth Portland, ME is about 36% cheaper than New York, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth South Portland, ME and New York, NY sit above the global median β South Portland, ME by 111%, New York, NY by 231%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.81$19.81
$29.91$29.91
-33.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.3$69.3
$144$144
-51.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.81$11.81
$12.32$12.32
-4.14%
Cappuccino
$4.88$4.88
$6.03$6.03
-19.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79$2.79
$3.39$3.39
-17.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32$2.32
$2.56$2.56
-9.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.87$5.87
$8.20$8.20
-28.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.87$6.87
$11.95$11.95
-42.51%
π Groceries & Markets
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.92$0.92
$1.54$1.54
-40.26%
White Bread(500g)
$3.44$3.44
$5.15$5.15
-33.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.64$5.64
$8.43$8.43
-33.10%
Eggs
$3.97$3.97
$6.97$6.97
-43.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.54$16.54
$17.28$17.28
-4.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.52$10.52
$16.24$16.24
-35.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.33$16.33
$19.95$19.95
-18.15%
Apples(1kg)
$3.44$3.44
$7.45$7.45
-53.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45$1.45
$2.42$2.42
-40.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.05$4.05
$5.87$5.87
-31.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.64$7.64
$6.31$6.31
21.08%
Potato(1kg)
$3.24$3.24
$3.72$3.72
-12.90%
Onion(1kg)
$3.01$3.01
$3.99$3.99
-24.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.86$1.86
$3.19$3.19
-41.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.64$1.64
$2.55$2.55
-35.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.32$12.32
$19.09$19.09
-35.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.06$15.06
$20.24$20.24
-25.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78$1.78
$2.99$2.99
-40.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97$2.97
$3.87$3.87
-23.26%
π Getting Around
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.98$1.98
$2.95$2.95
-32.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$131$131
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.03$2.03
$5.13$5.13
-60.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70$1.70
$2.20$2.20
-22.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.88$28.88
$42.64$42.64
-32.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$0.95$0.95
-4.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.4K$27.4K
$34.5K$34.5K
-20.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K$24.9K
$28.2K$28.2K
-11.72%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$208$208
$182$182
14.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$55.4$55.4
$60.1$60.1
-7.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.1$67.1
$61.9$61.9
8.32%
π Sport & Entertainment
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.12$43.12
$140$140
-69.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.01$30.01
$64.4$64.4
-53.41%
Cinema Ticket
$15.21$15.21
$20.33$20.33
-25.18%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$394$394
$3,222$3,222
-87.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K$14.7K
$56.2K$56.2K
-73.81%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.03$48.03
$65.9$65.9
-27.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.45$33.45
$47.20$47.20
-29.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.6$85.6
$111$111
-22.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134$134
$173$173
-22.86%
π Accommodation & Living
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,981$1,981
$4,208$4,208
-52.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,551$1,551
$2,647$2,647
-41.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,289$3,289
$8,415$8,415
-60.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,608$2,608
$5,170$5,170
-49.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,678$2,678
$20.1K$20.1K
-86.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,406$2,406
$8,742$8,742
-72.48%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
South Portland, ME
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,201$4,201
$5,144$5,144
-18.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.71
6.44
4.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for South Portland, ME: April 20, 2026
Last update for New York, NY: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,981 in South Portland, ME versus $4,208 in New York, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 22% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $69 in South Portland, ME versus $144 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $402 vs $554 β making South Portland, ME the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
South Portland, ME vs New York, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, South Portland, ME or New York, NY?
New York, NY costs about 57% more than South Portland, ME, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in South Portland, ME vs New York, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,235 per month in South Portland, ME and $6,657 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, South Portland, ME or New York, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in South Portland, ME, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in South Portland, ME compared to New York, NY?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,823 in South Portland, ME and $4,438 in New York, NY. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in South Portland, ME and New York, NY?
Kindergarten costs $394 per month in South Portland, ME and $3,222 in New York, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in South Portland, ME or New York, NY?
$2,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $2,823 in South Portland, ME and $4,438 in New York, NY. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, South Portland, ME or New York, NY?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. South Portland, ME costs $2,823 versus $4,438 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is South Portland, ME compared to New York, NY?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to South Portland, ME or New York, NY?
If budget matters most, go with South Portland, ME. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
South Portland, ME vs other spots: cost of living compared