Comfortable Salary Calculator · 2026
How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in South Portland?
Single adult · 2026 tax rates · Expenses based on HUD, USDA, and BLS data
Last updated: March 2026 · Data updated monthly using government datasets.
Income Scenarios for South Portland
Studio apartment, minimal dining out, no frills
$34,000
required gross salary
Annual take-home
$27,377
Monthly take-home
$2,281
Monthly expenses
$2,118
Rent
$1,130/mo
Food
$393/mo
Savings target
5%
1-bedroom, moderate lifestyle, 10–15% savings
$45,000
required gross salary
Annual take-home
$35,473
Monthly take-home
$2,956
Monthly expenses
$2,507
Rent
$1,450/mo
Food
$462/mo
Savings target
15%
2-bedroom or upscale 1BR, dining out regularly, 20% savings
$58,000
required gross salary
Annual take-home
$45,041
Monthly take-home
$3,753
Monthly expenses
$2,993
Rent
$1,820/mo
Food
$578/mo
Savings target
20%
Monthly Expense Breakdown
Non-rent expenses are consistent across scenarios; rent varies by housing tier.
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,130 | $1,450 | $1,820 |
| Food | $393 | $462 | $578 |
| Transport | $193 | $193 | $193 |
| Utilities | $182 | $182 | $182 |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | $220 |
| Total/month | $2,118 | $2,507 | $2,993 |
| Required salary | $34,000 | $45,000 | $58,000 |
Cost-of-Living Context
COL Index
1.10
vs US avg (1.00)
1BR Rent
$1,450/mo
HUD FMR 2026
Food (single)
$462/mo
USDA low-cost plan
Transport
$193/mo
BLS CES avg
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do you need to live comfortably in South Portland?
A comfortable salary for a single adult in South Portland is approximately $45,000 (gross). This covers a 1-bedroom apartment ($1,450/mo), food, transport, utilities, and healthcare — with around 15% of take-home available for savings. (2026 data)
How is this calculated?
The required salary is calculated by estimating total monthly essential expenses (rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare), then grossing up to account for federal and ME state taxes at 2026 rates. The target is to leave at least 10–20% of take-home income for savings.
Is South Portland affordable?
South Portland is roughly in line with the national average (COL index: 1.10), making it moderately affordable compared to major metro areas.
How much is rent in South Portland?
Average rent in South Portland: Studio $1,130/mo, 1-bedroom $1,450/mo, 2-bedroom $1,820/mo. (Source: HUD Fair Market Rents 2026)
Other Cities in This State
Related Tools
Data Sources
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
Data updated monthly using government datasets.