Cost of Living in South Portland, ME - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,077 (excluding rent), and $2,873 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,576 (excluding rent), and $5,511 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.24 $20.24

$15.18 $15.18

$31.37 $31.37

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.7 $70.7

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.76 $11.76

$9.8 $9.8

$17.64 $17.64

Cappuccino

$5.02 $5.02

$3.01 $3.01

$7.03 $7.03

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$1.74 $1.74

$3.28 $3.28

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$0.99 $0.99

$2.49 $2.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.07 $6.07

$4.05 $4.05

$8.6 $8.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.15 $7.15

$6.13 $6.13

$12.26 $12.26

Milk (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.55 $0.55

$1.23 $1.23

White Bread (500g)

$3.35 $3.35

$1.62 $1.62

$6.28 $6.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.84 $5.84

$2.15 $2.15

$13.41 $13.41

Eggs

$3.96 $3.96

$2.97 $2.97

$5.94 $5.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.3 $16.3

$6.52 $6.52

$19.58 $19.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.76 $10.76

$5.54 $5.54

$15.62 $15.62

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.87 $16.87

$11.18 $11.18

$18.1 $18.1

Apples (1kg)

$3.38 $3.38

$2.18 $2.18

$5.01 $5.01

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.01 $1.01

$2.86 $2.86

Oranges (1kg)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.14 $2.14

$4.33 $4.33

Tomato (1kg)

$7.5 $7.5

$2.14 $2.14

$7.5 $7.5

Potato (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$1.61 $1.61

$8.62 $8.62

Onion (1kg)

$3.01 $3.01

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 $1.88

$0.99 $0.99

$2.75 $2.75

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 $1.64

$1.26 $1.26

$3.04 $3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.44 $12.44

$7.45 $7.45

$13.42 $13.42

Wine (Bottle)

$11.87 $11.87

$8.91 $8.91

$25.11 $25.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.91 $2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.55 $1.55

$4.89 $4.89

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.08 $1.08

$1.72 $1.72

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.92 $2.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$3.69 $3.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.95 $28.95

$26.19 $26.19

$34.72 $34.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.76 $0.76

$0.98 $0.98

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27K $27K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.5K $35.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.9K $24.9K

$24.7K $24.7K

$25.9K $25.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$207 $207

$98.7 $98.7

$395 $395

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.6 $55.6

$43.55 $43.55

$70.9 $70.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.2 $65.2

$49.38 $49.38

$79 $79

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.47 $43.47

$17.69 $17.69

$50.5 $50.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.81 $29.81

Cinema Ticket

$15.26 $15.26

$12.21 $12.21

$18.31 $18.31

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$392 $392

$2,450 $2,450

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15K $15K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.74 $47.74

$20.1 $20.1

$65.3 $65.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.67 $33.67

$19.8 $19.8

$49.51 $49.51

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 $86.8

$60.5 $60.5

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$135 $135

$91.2 $91.2

$152 $152

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,969 $1,969

$1,817 $1,817

$2,120 $2,120

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,551 $1,551

$1,501 $1,501

$1,601 $1,601

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,353 $3,353

$3,203 $3,203

$3,503 $3,503

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,606 $2,606

$2,506 $2,506

$2,706 $2,706

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,730 $2,730

$1,950 $1,950

$2,730 $2,730

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,439 $2,439

$1,886 $1,886

$2,439 $2,439

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,933 $3,933

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.71

6.19

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

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in South Portland, ME - Frequently Asked Questions

South Portland offers a measured balance of comfort and cost. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want steady access to Portland’s amenities without a city-center price tag, it often feels like a good value. The pace is relaxed, services are reliable, and housing options range from riverfront to inland neighborhoods. Seasonal demand can tilt availability and rent for short stays, so flexibility helps. You’ll find a practical blend of dining, groceries, and outdoors that supports longer stays. Cost of Living in South Portland, ME, United States frames the general sense of value for the region. Tip: Plan with seasonal changes to maximize value.

Housing search here benefits from flexibility and a mix of options. Look for 6–12 month leases or shared housing to reduce upfront costs, and compare inland blocks versus waterfront pockets for price differences. Groceries and dining can be balanced by shopping at local markets and cooking at home. Transit is practical but not overbuilt; bikes and walkable neighborhoods keep daily costs lower, with occasional rideshares for longer trips. Co-working spots and cafes near Portland offer productivity without heavy commutes. South Portland, ME living cost varies by neighborhood and season. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for a week to get a feel.

Quality of life here blends coastal access with practical budgeting. Use a simple framework: allocate about half your budget to housing and utilities, a quarter to food, and the rest to transport, personal needs, and leisure. Seasonality matters: summers bring longer daylight and outdoor activities, while winters favor warm cafés and indoor workspaces. Neighborhood fit comes from trying a few blocks around Willard Beach and the Maine Mall area, then choosing where you feel safest and most connected to services. Tip: track costs month to month and adjust plans with the seasons.