CostIndexUSA

Portland, ME vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Racine is moderately cheaper than Portland — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $75,400 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing12.5%
Portland
105.2
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Portland
97.2
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Portland
108.4
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Portland
98
Racine
94.4
Utilities33.1%
Portland
134.6
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$75,400
$4,600 less needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 101.9) = salary × 0.9421. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Portland, ME

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

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Portland has 12.5% lower housing costs compared to Racine.

Income & Job Market

Portland, ME

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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Portland, ME
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.