Salary Needed to Live in Portland as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $23,071/year to live comfortably in Portland, ME — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$23,071
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$19,867
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,192
8% above national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Portland

ExpensePortlandNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$133$113+18%
🛒 Groceries$21$17+24%
⚡ Utilities$17$14+21%
🚗 Transportation$29$26+12%
🛡️ Car Insurance$197$229-14%
🏥 Health Insurance$53$58-9%
Internet$75$65+15%
Phone$98$85+15%
Dining & Social$345$300+15%
Entertainment$138$120+15%
Personal Care$86$75+15%
Total Monthly$1,192$1,102+8%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,192
Target savings (10%):$154/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,346
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$23,071

Other Household Types in Portland

Couple (No Kids)
$32,320/yr
$1,616/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 single person need in Portland?
A single person needs approximately $23,071/year ($1,923/month gross) to live comfortably in Portland with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Portland?
A studio/1br in Portland costs approximately $133/month, which is the largest single expense at 11% of the total budget.
Is Portland affordable for a single person?
Portland is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.
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