Cost of Living Comparison Calculator

I found this very interesting calculator at the CNNMoney.com web site.  Simply enter the location of your current residence along with your income.  Then enter your destination location and click "compare."

For fun, I looked at what would happen if someone earning $75,000 in Boston wanted to move up here to Portland.  The results?

Groceries will cost 12.4% less

Housing will cost 17.3% less

Utilities will cost 1.5% more

Transportation will cost 12.7% less

Healthcare will cost 18.4% less

The net comparison means that your $75,000 Boston salary is roughly comparable to a salary of $64,338 in Portland, Maine.  The Manhatten to Portland comparison is even more fun!

If you're planning on moving to Maine, here is the link to compare cost of living.

Portland Maine in Global Top 12

Frommer's, the respected line of travel guides, recently ranked Portland, Maine among its "Top 12 World Travel Destinations" for 2007.  Those of us who live here are not necessarily surprised by this, but lots of folks from away are only just figuring out how much of a hidden gem we have here.

As this recent USA Today article pointed out, "Portland is showing the rest of the state — a self-proclaimed "Vacationland" locked in a love-hate affair with summer visitors "from away" who pay the bills but clog the roads — that tourism can flourish 1) in months besides July and August and 2) without driving the locals crazy."

In addition to this particular accolade, Portland has recently been named one the "Healthiest Cities for Women" (Self magazine); one of 20 "Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs" (Inc.); and one of 50 "Best Places for Businesses and Careers" (Forbes).

David Whitten, Portland Maine Real Estate Expert