salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 30.5 minutes each way. Most homes (77%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,520 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Connecticut cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Connecticut. It is number 3 of 64 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Portland?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Portland
| Size | Portland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,092 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,309 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,328 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Portland overall?
Everyday prices in Connecticut overall are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Portland, so the Connecticut figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Portland
Life in Portland
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Portland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $721 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $282,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Portland, CT?
Renting in Portland costs a median of about $1,238 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Connecticut median is $1,920.
How much do I need to make to live in Portland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,520 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Portland cheap or expensive?
Portland is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.4% of the typical household income of $96,419. It ranks 3rd cheapest of 64 Connecticut cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Portland?
The median homeowner in Portland pays $5,597 a year in property taxes, about 1.98% of the median home value.
Is Portland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Connecticut are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Portland?
The median home value in Portland is $282,300, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
5,944 people live in Portland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.