Moving from Portland, ME to Boston, MA-NH
About 3,743 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 4,890 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Boston, MA-NH.
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 21.9% of income in Portland, ME and 22.2% in Boston, MA-NH.
Portland, ME Boston, MA-NH (monthly)
| Monthly | Portland, ME | Boston, MA-NH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,277 | $1,294 | +$17 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $254 | $273 | +$19 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $29 | $27 | −$2 |
| Take-home pay | $4,556 | $4,539 | −$17 |
| Housing | $1,864 | $2,518 | +$654 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,864 | $2,518 | +$654 |
| Food | $428 | $439 | +$11 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 99.7 | $428 | $439 | +$11 |
| Transportation | $174 | $172 | −$2 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.30/gal (MA weekly average) | $174 | $172 | −$2 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $31 | +$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $31 | +$4 |
| Other goods & services | $1,002 | $1,016 | +$14 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 99.7 | $486 | $498 | +$12 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 103.6 | $516 | $518 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,062 | $363 | −$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 16.8% of income in Portland, ME and 17.4% in Boston, MA-NH.
Portland, ME Boston, MA-NH (monthly)
| Monthly | Portland, ME | Boston, MA-NH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,680 | $1,736 | +$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 | $395 | $455 | +$60 |
| Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) – employee share2026 tax law | $50 | $46 | −$4 |
| Take-home pay | $8,320 | $8,264 | −$56 |
| Housing | $2,353 | $3,008 | +$655 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,353 | $3,008 | +$655 |
| Childcare | $2,223 | $3,040 | +$817 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $350/wk, school-age $224/wk (2022 prices, Suffolk County, MA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,223 | $3,040 | +$817 |
| Food | $1,246 | $1,278 | +$32 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 99.7 | $1,246 | $1,278 | +$32 |
| Transportation | $347 | $344 | −$3 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.30/gal (MA weekly average) | $347 | $344 | −$3 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $31 | +$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $31 | +$4 |
| Other goods & services | $1,002 | $1,016 | +$14 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 99.7 | $486 | $498 | +$12 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 103.6 | $516 | $518 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,121 | −$454 | −$1,575 |
Portland, ME vs Boston, MA-NH at a glance
| Measure | Portland, ME | Boston, MA-NH |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 101.9 | 108.3 |
| Housing price level | 105.2 | 148.4 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,864 | $2,518 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,353 | $3,008 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,902 | $3,584 |
| Median home value | $420,000 | $646,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.00% | 1.06% |
| Median household income | $92,175 | $115,863 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $252 | $590 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 5.5% | 6.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.34 | $4.30 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $148 | $181 |
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 Boston, MA-NH to keep my Portland, ME lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Portland, ME, about $82,931 in Boston, MA-NH (+18.5%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $147,130. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Boston, MA-NH cheaper than Portland, ME?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Boston, MA-NH is at 108.3 and Portland, ME at 101.9 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$699 a month in Boston, MA-NH.
How many people move from Portland, ME to Boston, MA-NH?+
About 3,743 people a year (±587), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 4,890 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.