Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Burlington and Portland have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Vermont salaries · Maine salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Burlington has a housing index of 139 while Portland sits at 137 (national average = 100). The median home in Burlington costs $380,000 compared to $395,000 in Portland, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Burlington versus $1,700 in Portland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Burlington scores 108 while Portland scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Burlington (116) are higher than Portland (110).
Median household income in Burlington is $51,098 compared to $56,895 in Portland. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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