City Comparison

Portland vs Pueblo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Portland

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

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

The Verdict

30.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 30.0%, with Pueblo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Portland has equivalent purchasing power to $57,692 in Pueblo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
137
Portland
81
Pueblo
Groceries
107
Portland
99
Pueblo
Utilities
111
Portland
96
Pueblo
Transportation
98
Portland
99
Pueblo
Healthcare
110
Portland
102
Pueblo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Portland has the same purchasing power as $57,692 in Pueblo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $97,500 in Portland.

Living in Portland vs Pueblo

Housing Costs

Portland's housing index of 137 is higher Pueblo's 81, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $247,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Portland compared to $1,075/mo in Pueblo, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Portland and 99 in Pueblo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Portland vs $470/month in Pueblo. Pueblo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Portland and 96 in Pueblo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Portland vs $384 in Pueblo. 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 110 in Portland and 102 in Pueblo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,895 in Portland and $56,700 in Pueblo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,628 and $63,000 respectively. Pueblo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,328/month to housing in Portland vs $1,323/month in Pueblo. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pueblo is 30.0% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Portland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,692 in Pueblo, based on the cost of living difference.
Portland's housing index is 137 with median homes at $395,000, while Pueblo's is 81 with median homes at $247,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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