CostIndexUSA

Portland, ME vs Redding, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Redding
100.7
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Redding is slightly cheaper than Portland — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $79,100 in Redding. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.0%
Portland
105.2
Redding
89.4
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Portland
97.2
Redding
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Portland
108.4
Redding
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Portland
98
Redding
95.3
Utilities+17.2%
Portland
134.6
Redding
157.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Redding, CA
$79,100
$900 less needed in Redding

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 101.9) = salary × 0.9882. 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×

Redding, CA

Median Home Price
$362,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
89.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Portland has 15.0% lower housing costs compared to Redding.

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

Redding, CA

Median Household Income
$75,900
Per Capita Income
$43,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
91,305
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturingEducation

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)

Redding, CA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.