CostIndexUSA

Kalamazoo, MI vs Portland, ME Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
ME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Kalamazoo is moderately cheaper than Portland — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kalamazoo, you would need $86,000 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+28.9%
Kalamazoo
81.6
Portland
105.2
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Kalamazoo
93.7
Portland
97.2
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Kalamazoo
104.5
Portland
108.4
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Kalamazoo
94.6
Portland
98
Utilities+35.5%
Kalamazoo
99.3
Portland
134.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, ME
$86,000
$6,000 more needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (101.9 ÷ 94.8) = salary × 1.0749. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Portland, ME

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

Portland has 28.9% higher housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

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).

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.