CostIndexUSA

Portland, ME vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Portland is moderately cheaper than Santa Ana — 11.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $89,200 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+62.0%
Portland
105.2
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries+9.7%
Portland
97.2
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation+1.1%
Portland
108.4
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.1%
Portland
98
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+17.8%
Portland
134.6
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$89,200
$9,200 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 101.9) = salary × 1.1148. 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×

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Ana has 62.0% higher housing costs compared to Portland.

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

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.