Rows tagged local are specific to Portland (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Portland, ME. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district 2309930 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
104.4
metro-area
#169 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
98.3
metro-area
#145 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.94
metro-area
#169 of 200
Median household income
$71,498
local
#43 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$45,158
local
#38 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.02%
local
#10 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.4%
local
#78 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$411,600
local
#172 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.8×
local
#169 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.0%
metro-area
#109 of 200
Price per square foot
$242
local
#176 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,377
local
#178 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,707
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.4%
state
#159 of 200
Combined sales tax
5.50%
state
#11 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
7.15%
Capital gains tax
7.15%
state
#155 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.30%
local
#124 of 200
Median property tax paid
$5,359
local
#154 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$8,000
state
#192 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.40% of value (~$672/yr)
state
#191 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#116 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
28.4¢/kWh
state
#165 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$256
state
#165 of 200
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$86
state
#56 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$71
state
#12 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#4 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#1 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
39
metro-area
#31 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
300
metro-area
#2 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,500
metro-area
#195 of 200
Avg summer high
80°F
metro-area
#8 of 200
Avg winter low
10°F
metro-area
#190 of 200
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
5a
Frost window
05-15 → 10-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
110
state
#1 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,200
state
#7 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.