2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Portland, ME vs Salem, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salem or is it cheaper to live in Portland?
- Salem is 16.9% more expensive than Portland.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salem or Portland?
- Salem housing costs are 15.7% more expensive than Portland housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Portland or is Health Care more affordable in Salem.
- Health related expenses are 2.1% less in Salem.
 Portland, MESalem, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.5100
 Food & Groceries111.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.6100
 Housing149.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$505,900$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.0100
 Miscellaneous114.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Portland    35 Reviews

Used to be great before the pandemic. Now people from out of state have ruined it by paying New York prices for real estate site unseen. Why would you live in Maine when  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have never lived here but the lack of Jimmy John’s is depressing and makes me wish I was deceased.  More

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Reggie · 
Over 7 years ago

I found out I was allergic to corn on the cob here. I would give Portland twelve thumbs downs if I could. My friend told me there was a subway here and I thought he  More

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Reviews for Salem    4 Reviews

I've been in Salem, Massachusetts for a year now because it brought me up here for my husband's job. Salem may be a great place to visit during Halloween but other  More

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Over 12 years ago

My husband and I move to Salem, MA from Long Island NY five years ago and we love it! We kept on visiting for Halloween and we just decided to move here for the hell of  More

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Over 18 years ago

We are family friendly, albeit strange. We celebrate Halloween for a month. Check out the Haunted Happenings  More

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