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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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PortlandvsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Portland to Boston will cost approximately $204,003 more on median home prices (35.5% higher). Monthly rent is $850 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 44.2% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
35.5% more
Rent
35.5% more
View PortlandView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Portland, ME

Median Home Price$574,426
Monthly Rent$2,393
Median Income$69,734
Population66,872
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+35.5%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+35.5%
Median Income
$100,532+44.2%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Portland

2015$1,395
2020$1,789
2025$2,393

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Portland

Housing$8,979
Food$7,248
Transport$12,994
Healthcare$10,417
Total$53,421

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

35.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$850
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
44.2%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Portland

Population66,872
Median Age40.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate113 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1134 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Portland

113
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1134
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Portland?

Portland is 35.5% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Portland is $574,426 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Portland and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Portland averages $2,393. That's a difference of $850 per month, or $10,200 annually.

How do incomes compare between Portland and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 44.2% higher than Portland's median of $69,734.

Which city is safer: Portland or Boston?

Portland has a violent crime rate of 113 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Portland is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

Popular Comparisons

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