CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Portland, ME Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Portland is moderately cheaper than Irvine — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $71,800 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing38.3%
Irvine
170.4
Portland
105.2
🛒 Groceries8.8%
Irvine
106.6
Portland
97.2
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Irvine
109.6
Portland
108.4
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Irvine
99.1
Portland
98
Utilities15.1%
Irvine
158.6
Portland
134.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Irvine to see what you'd need to earn in Portland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, ME
$71,800
$8,200 less needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (101.9 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8970. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Portland, ME

Median Home Price
$516,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
105.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5×

Irvine has 38.3% lower housing costs compared to Portland.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

Portland, ME

Median Household Income
$92,100
Per Capita Income
$52,500
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
68,408
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationTourismFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Portland, ME
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.