Salary Needed to Live in Portland as a Couple

A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $32,320/year to live comfortably in Portland, ME — including 12% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$32,320
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$26,933
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,616
10% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Portland

ExpensePortlandNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 1-2BR Apartment Rent$162$137+18%
🛒 Groceries$32$27+19%
⚡ Utilities$22$19+16%
🚗 Transportation$39$35+11%
🛡️ Car Insurance$197$229-14%
🏥 Health Insurance$53$58-9%
Internet$75$65+15%
Phone (×2)$161$140+15%
Dining & Social$518$450+15%
Entertainment$207$180+15%
Personal Care (×2)$150$130+15%
Total Monthly$1,616$1,470+10%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,616
Target savings (12%):$264/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,880
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$32,320

Other Household Types in Portland

Single Person
$23,071/yr
$1,192/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$69,747/yr
$3,313/mo expenses
Retiree
$23,928/yr
$1,336/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in PortlandCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cheaper AlternativesCost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Portland?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $32,320/year ($2,693/month gross) to live comfortably in Portland with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Portland?
A 1-2br apartment in Portland costs approximately $162/month, which is the largest single expense at 10% of the total budget.
Is Portland affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Portland is roughly average for couple (no kids) costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
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