South Portland

South Portland, Maine Overview

South Portland ranks #2 of 20 cities in Maine, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 65.8/100. The city stands out in Safety (91/100) and Environment (77/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in South Portland

South Portland’s median household income of $84,563 is 23% above the Maine median of $68,810, and its 2.5% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 3.2%.

Safety in South Portland

South Portland’s violent crime rate of 113.8 per 100,000 is well below both the Maine rate of 100 and national norms, making safety one of the city’s defining features. The property crime rate is 1185.1 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in South Portland

South 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 $405,800. Median monthly rent is $1,648. Renters spend 23.4% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in South Portland

South Portland’s adult obesity rate of 27% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.7%. Residents report an average of 17.5 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Maine ranks #11 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in South Portland

South Portland has a high school graduation rate of 88%. The student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $18,364 per student, well above the national median. The city has 8 public schools serving 2,953 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in South Portland

The annual average temperature in South Portland is 49.4°F. Summers average 66.9°F. Winters average 31.9°F. Precipitation is abundant at 57.3 inches per year. The average commute of 16 minutes is notably short.

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