What it's like to live in South Portland
South Portland is a small city in Maine with unemployment below the national average, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. South Portland deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Heavy snowfall — 69" per year
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How South Portland compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to South Portland
Based on South Portland's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,624
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $72,480 a year
- 53% of South Portland renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$88,240
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $44,120
- Homes cost 5.1× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 28% above US
$1,812/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,812 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $441,200. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $441,200 · 53% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 40% below US
2.6% unemployment
Unemployment here is 2.6%, well below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 83% below US
55 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 1085/100k · South Portland Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 34% below US
17 min average commute
Commutes run short here, averaging 17.1 minutes. That's an underrated perk of living in a smaller or well-planned city, where time isn't lost sitting in traffic. 7 in 10 workers drive to work; 20% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 77°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 18°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 44% above US
52% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
8 public schools inside the boundary
There are 8 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Frances Perkins National Monument (45 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
South Portland's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,812/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, anyone prioritizing low crime, and remote workers (20% of workers here already work from home). It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget.
Other places near South Portland
All Maine guides →Moving to Westbrook →
6 mi away · pop. 20,775
Rent $1,392/mo · Income $85,038
Compare with South Portland →Moving to Portland →
6 mi away · pop. 68,854
Rent $1,577/mo · Income $79,540
Compare with South Portland →Moving to Biddeford →
14 mi away · pop. 22,498
Rent $1,292/mo · Income $72,333
Compare with South Portland →Not sure South Portland is the one?
Put it side by side with another city.