Moving from Boston, MA-NH to Portland, ME
About 4,890 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,743 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Portland, ME.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 22.2% of income in Boston, MA-NH and 21.9% in Portland, ME.
Boston, MA-NH Portland, ME (monthly)
| Monthly | Boston, MA-NH | Portland, ME | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,294 | $1,277 | −$17 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $273 | $254 | −$19 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $27 | $29 | +$2 |
| Take-home pay | $4,539 | $4,556 | +$17 |
| Housing | $2,518 | $1,864 | −$654 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,518 | $1,864 | −$654 |
| Food | $439 | $428 | −$11 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 97.2 | $439 | $428 | −$11 |
| Transportation | $172 | $174 | +$2 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.34/gal (New England (PADD)) | $172 | $174 | +$2 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $27 | −$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $27 | −$4 |
| Other goods & services | $1,016 | $1,002 | −$14 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 97.2 | $498 | $486 | −$12 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 103.2 | $518 | $516 | −$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $363 | $1,062 | +$699 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.4% of income in Boston, MA-NH and 16.8% in Portland, ME.
Boston, MA-NH Portland, ME (monthly)
| Monthly | Boston, MA-NH | Portland, ME | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,736 | $1,680 | −$56 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $455 | $395 | −$60 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $46 | $50 | +$4 |
| Take-home pay | $8,264 | $8,320 | +$56 |
| Housing | $3,008 | $2,353 | −$655 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $3,008 | $2,353 | −$655 |
| Childcare | $3,040 | $2,223 | −$817 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $261/wk, school-age $158/wk (2022 prices, Cumberland County, ME); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $3,040 | $2,223 | −$817 |
| Food | $1,278 | $1,246 | −$32 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 97.2 | $1,278 | $1,246 | −$32 |
| Transportation | $344 | $347 | +$3 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.34/gal (New England (PADD)) | $344 | $347 | +$3 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $27 | −$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $27 | −$4 |
| Other goods & services | $1,016 | $1,002 | −$14 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 97.2 | $498 | $486 | −$12 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 103.2 | $518 | $516 | −$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | −$454 | $1,121 | +$1,575 |
Boston, MA-NH vs Portland, ME at a glance
| Measure | Boston, MA-NH | Portland, ME |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 108.3 | 101.9 |
| Housing price level | 148.4 | 105.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,518 | $1,864 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,008 | $2,353 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,584 | $2,902 |
| Median home value | $646,300 | $420,000 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.06% | 1.00% |
| Median household income | $115,863 | $92,175 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $590 | $252 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.25% | 5.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.30 | $4.34 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $181 | $148 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Portland, ME to keep my Boston, MA-NH lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Boston, MA-NH, about $58,043 in Portland, ME (−17.1%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $94,174. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Portland, ME cheaper than Boston, MA-NH?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Portland, ME is at 101.9 and Boston, MA-NH at 108.3 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$699 a month in Portland, ME.
How many people move from Boston, MA-NH to Portland, ME?+
About 4,890 people a year (±835), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,743 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.