Living in Portland, Maine
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portland · Census data 2020–2024
Portland has 68,854 residents with a median age of 37.8. The median household income is $79,540 (6% higher than the Maine median), the median home value is $489,600, the median rent is $1,577/month.
Portland at a glance
- Population
- 68,854
- Median age
- 37.8State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $79,540State: $74,733
- Median home value
- $489,600State: $296,600
- Median rent
- $1,577/moState: $1,139
- Homeowners
- 46.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Portland a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 6% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Home values 65% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 11.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portland
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portland the median home value is $489,600, 47% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,577 per month, which is 30.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,295 a month in housing costs.
Portland median household income
The median household income in Portland is $79,540 and the income per person is $52,781. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).
Housing in Portland: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 36,559
- Owner-occupied
- 46.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 53.1%
- Vacant
- 9.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1946
- Average household size
- 2.03
Portland demographics
- Population
- 68,854
- Median age
- 37.8
- Under 18
- 15.4%
- 65 and older
- 16.9%
- Households
- 32,965
- Foreign-born
- 11.8%
- Veterans
- 4.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portland ›
Education in Portland
59.7% of adults 25 and older in Portland have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 24% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portland
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 3.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 24.8%
- Drive alone
- 53.9%
- Public transit
- 2.6%
- Walk to work
- 11%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.6%
Portland vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 68,854 | $79,540 | $489,600 | $1,577 |
| Long Island | 249 | $91,250 | $551,100 | $2,194 |
| Cape Elizabeth | 9,606 | $145,821 | $731,600 | $2,185 |
| South Portland | 26,930 | $86,838 | $441,200 | $1,812 |
| Falmouth Foreside | 2,051 | $177,411 | $855,000 | $2,631 |
| Oak Hill | 5,631 | $97,610 | $429,100 | $1,743 |
| Scarborough | 23,215 | $133,558 | $551,900 | $1,956 |
| Falmouth | 12,755 | $150,919 | $767,500 | $2,120 |
| Chebeague Island | 555 | $67,639 | $651,400 | $2,063 |
More for people moving to Portland
Portland ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portland: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portland, ME?
The median household income in Portland is $79,540, 6% higher than the Maine median of $74,733 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Portland?
The median home value in Portland is $489,600, compared with $296,600 in Maine.
How much is rent in Portland?
The median gross rent in Portland is $1,577 per month, about 30.6% of household income.
Is Portland, ME a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 6% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: home values 65% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 11.2%.
What is the median age in Portland?
The median age in Portland is 37.8 years (Maine: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Portland?
The average commute to work in Portland is 19 minutes; 24.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portland?
The unemployment rate in Portland is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portland?
59.7% of adults in Portland have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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