Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Portland, ME?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 9.6% cheaper than Portland, ME. This translates to saving $718 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Portland, ME?

If you earn $150,000 in Portland, ME, you'd need approximately $141,383.177 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Portland, ME and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 39.0% cheaper than in Portland, ME. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,202/month in Portland, ME.

How much can I save per month by moving from Portland, ME to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Portland, ME to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $718 per month, or $8617 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Portland, ME vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Portland, ME — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Portland, ME

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $718/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 9.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$718

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Portland, ME

Population:69K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$527K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:90

Median Home:$145K

Portland, ME

The Pine Tree State

69K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maine, this city has a population of 69K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Portland, ME vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Portland, ME	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,066/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,195less	39.0%
📦Other	$1,178/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $429more	36.4%
🛒Groceries	$867/mo	$949/mo	↑ $82.09more	9.5%
🏥Healthcare	$597/mo	$527/mo	↓ $70.80less	11.9%
⚡All Utilities	$575/mo	$535/mo	↓ $39.71less	6.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,182/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $33.80more	2.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 39.0%

Portland, ME

$3,066

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,195

less

📦Other

↑ 36.4%

Portland, ME

$1,178

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$429

🛒Groceries

↑ 9.5%

Portland, ME

$867

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$82.09

🏥Healthcare

↓ 11.9%

Portland, ME

$597

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$70.80

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.9%

Portland, ME

$575

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$39.71

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.9%

Portland, ME

$1,182

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$33.80

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Portland, ME has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$829

To$910

↑ $81.00

1 Bed

From$939

To$950

↑ $11.00

2 Bed

From$1,202

To$1,160

↓ $42.00

3 Bed

From$1,460

To$1,490

↑ $30.00

Portland, MEZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,670–$1,780/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,466

Monthly in Portland, ME

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$760

Difference

Home Values

Portland

St. Louis

$527K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +44.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$510K - $642K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 73% less expensive than Portland

Calculate payment - Portland Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$197

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.6%

Rate difference

Portland, ME

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maine State Tax

Effective: 6.9%

$10.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.5%

$47.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,558/month

$102.7K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Portland, ME Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.5%

Property Tax:1.3%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.