City Comparison

Everett vs Portland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Everett

Washington
136
Expensive
$575,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$75,400
Median Income

Portland

Maine
117
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$56,895
Median Income

The Verdict

16.2%

Living in Portland costs 16.2% less than Everett. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Everett, you would need $64,522 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
192
Everett
137
Portland
Groceries
109
Everett
107
Portland
Utilities
92
Everett
111
Portland
Transportation
117
Everett
98
Portland
Healthcare
122
Everett
110
Portland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Everett has the same purchasing power as $64,522 in Portland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $87,179 in Everett.

Living in Everett vs Portland

Housing Costs

Everett's housing index of 192 is higher Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $575,000 vs $395,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Everett compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Everett and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Everett vs $508/month in Portland. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Everett and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Everett vs $444 in Portland. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Everett and 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $75,400 in Everett and $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,441 and $48,628 respectively. Everett residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,759/month to housing in Everett vs $1,328/month in Portland. In Everett, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Portland is 16.2% more affordable overall with an index of 117 vs 136.
A $75,000 salary in Everett has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,522 in Portland, based on the cost of living difference.
Everett's housing index is 192 with median homes at $575,000, while Portland's is 137 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases