Portland, ME

Maine · Metropolitan Area

Portland is a mid-size city in Maine with a population of 68,505. Residents earn $76,174 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
68,505 Population 3,180/sq mi density
$76,174 Median Income $52,125 per capita
$452,600 Home Value $543,125 Zillow
$1,487 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
238 Violent Crime/100K 3,215 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$76,174 median income, 3.1% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$452,600 home value, $1,487/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
238 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
59.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,174
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $452,600
61% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 238/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 59.2%
76% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,487
28% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.9%
13% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.3%
57% lower than US avg

How Portland Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population68,505
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density3,180/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

A
Median Income$76,174
Per Capita$52,125
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty5.3%
County GDP$34,616M
Commute20 min

Housing

B
Home Value$452,600
Rent$1,487
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$543,125

Crime

F
Violent238/100K
Property3,215/100K
Murder1.5/100K
Assault110/100K
Burglary371/100K

Health

Obesity27.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.4%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI34 (Good)
Rain48.1 in/yr

Education

A+
Bachelor's+59.2%
High School+95.7%
School Score5.64

Community

2024 VoteR 31% / D 67%
Commute20 min
EV Stations63
Libraries35

Is Portland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Portland receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Portland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Portland is $76,174, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Portland is $452,600, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,487 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Portland is below the national average at 238 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,215 per 100,000, 64% above the national average.

Education

Portland is a highly educated community — 59.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Portland experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.1 inches, including 68.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Portland has a population of 68,505 with a density of 3,180 people per square mile. The median age is 37.5 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.1%), with 9% Black.

Population

68,505
Total Population
3,180
People / sq mi
37.5yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
21.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Portland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.8%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.2%
9% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Portland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Portland is $76,174, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Portland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,174
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,125
Avg Weekly Wage$1,372
IRS Avg AGI$101,946

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.3%
57% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,210
County GDP$34,616M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,133
Healthcare1,504
Retail1,447
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,839
124% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.9 min
Work from Home21.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Portland is $452,600, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,487 (28% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $543,125.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$452,600
61% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$543,125
Median List Price$699,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$699,000
$/Sq Ft$350
Homes Sold31
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops17.5%
Inventory114

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,487
28% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,237

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,108
1 Bedroom$1,186
2 Bedrooms$1,497
3 Bedrooms$1,951
4 Bedrooms$2,190

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,839
124% above US avg
Effective Rate1.73%
In Portland, 27.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.4% report depression. 16.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Portland vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.9%
13% below US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma12.2%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity16.9%
Depression26.4%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death6,232/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access85.2%
Healthcare Facilities1,504
Portland has a violent crime rate of 238 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,215 per 100,000 (64% above US avg). The murder rate is 1.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Portland vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent238.0/100K
37% below US avg
Murder1.5/100K
76% below US avg
Rape30.1/100K
Robbery96.4/100K
Assault110.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,214.8/100K
64% above US avg
Burglary370.6/100K
Theft2,762.9/100K
Vehicle Theft81.4/100K
Arson19.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Portland has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.1 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall68.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area21.5 sq mi (55.8 km²)
Population Density3,180/sq mi
Coordinates43.6332°N, 70.1853°W
County FIPS23005
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 59.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 36.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 30.6%
D 66.9%

Winner: Democrat by 36.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+59.2%
76% above US avg
High School+95.7%
School Test Score5.64
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,180/sq mi
Total Area21.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations63
Alt Fuel Stations65
Public Libraries35
Healthcare Facilities1,504
Restaurants1,133
Retail Stores1,447

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.9 min
Work from Home21.5%

Nearby Cities

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