Is it cheaper to live in Portland or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Portland, ME's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Portland than in Spokane?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Portland versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Portland or Spokane?

Portland is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Portland vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Portland

Maine

$1,620/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,620 in Portland, ME versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Portland, ME, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,174 in Portland, ME and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 14% higher in Portland, ME. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Portland, ME

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,038

$884

+15% in Portland, ME

1 Bedroom

$1,331

$903

+32% in Portland, ME

2 Bedroom

$1,664

$1,192

+28% in Portland, ME

3 Bedroom

$1,919

$1,442

+25% in Portland, ME

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$452,600

$326,200

+28% in Portland, ME

Income

Median Household Income

$76,174

$65,745

+14% in Portland, ME

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$56,960

$54,660

+4% in Portland, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.5 yr

37.2 yr

+0.3 yr in Portland, ME

Homeownership

46.7%

58.3%

+11.6 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

32.6%

+26.6 pp in Portland, ME

Avg Commute

19.9 min

21.2 min

+1.3 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

272.7

683.6

+151% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

2,513.3

4,931.8

+96% in Spokane, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

48.9°F

+2.4°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

47.3 in

17.8 in

+29.5 in in Portland, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.6

14.9

+48% in Portland, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.00

$20.41

+3% in Portland, ME

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Portland, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / WA)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

None

+7.2 pp in ME

Portland vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Portland or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Portland, ME's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Portland than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Portland versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Portland or Spokane?: Portland is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).