Portland

Portland, Maine Overview

Portland ranks #3 of 20 cities in Maine, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 65.0/100. The city stands out in Safety (80/100) and Education (80/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Portland

Portland’s median household income of $83,399 is 21% above the Maine median of $68,810, and its 2.6% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 3.2%.

Safety in Portland

Portland’s violent crime rate of 229.6 per 100,000 runs above the Maine average of 100. The property crime rate is 1760.5 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Portland

Portland has a cost of living index of 103.6 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly above the national benchmark. The median home value is $452,600. Median monthly rent is $1,487. Renters spend 21.4% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline. The price-to-income ratio of 5.4x suggests home buyers face a stretched market.

Health & Wellness in Portland

Portland’s adult obesity rate of 27.7% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.3%. Residents report an average of 17.8 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Maine ranks #11 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Portland

Portland has a high school graduation rate of 88.6%. The student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $20,990 per student, well above the national median. The city has 15 public schools serving 6,970 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Portland

The annual average temperature in Portland is 49.6°F. Summers average 67.2°F. Winters average 32°F. Precipitation is abundant at 59.4 inches per year. 18.5% of workers in Portland work from home, well above the national average. The average commute of 16.1 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions