Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Hartford is 4% more affordable than Portland. A $75,000 salary in Portland is equivalent to $71,795 in Hartford.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Connecticut salaries · Maine salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Portland sits at 137 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $395,000 in Portland, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,700 in Portland.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Hartford scores 106 while Portland scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Portland (110).
Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $56,895 in Portland. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Hartford.
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