salaryPortland is the largest city in Maine that we track, with 68,854 residents. Rent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.7 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.4 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 59.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,000 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maine cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Maine. It is number 32 of 34 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Portland?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Portland
| Size | Portland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,187 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,592 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,888 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,281 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,568 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Portland overall?
Everyday prices in the Portland-South Portland metro area are 2% above the U.S. average (index 101.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Portland
Life in Portland
What jobs pay in Portland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,620 | 19.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,180 | 20.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,240 | 21.0% |
| Lawyer | $129,990 | 21.0% |
| Software Developer | $128,710 | 21.2% |
| Operations Manager | $105,390 | 25.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,240 | 26.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,470 | 26.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,880 | 27.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $88,470 | 30.9% |
| Accountant | $79,790 | 34.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,770 | 35.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,950 | 35.9% |
| Police Officer | $73,600 | 37.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,420 | 37.2% |
| Electrician | $71,660 | 38.1% |
| Plumber | $64,500 | 42.3% |
| Carpenter | $64,300 | 42.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,090 | 42.6% |
| Truck Driver | $59,900 | 45.6% |
| Firefighter | $49,320 | 55.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $48,540 | 56.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,180 | 56.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,910 | 57.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,560 | 58.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $45,350 | 60.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $44,070 | 61.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,320 | 73.2% |
| Cashier | $36,210 | 75.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Portland?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,122 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $489,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Portland, ME?
Renting in Portland costs a median of about $2,275 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maine median is $1,452.
How much do I need to make to live in Portland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,000 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Portland cheap or expensive?
Portland is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.8% of the typical household income of $85,784. It ranks 32nd cheapest of 34 Maine cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Portland?
The median homeowner in Portland pays $5,601 a year in property taxes, about 1.14% of the median home value.
Is Portland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% 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 $489,600, about 5.7 times the typical yearly household income.
68,854 people live in Portland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.