Nestled on the Casco Bay, Maine’s most populous city feels quite the opposite – more like a quaint coastal village dotted with historic lighthouses. Because of its size, Portland is fairly easy to navigate on foot, or you can hop aboard one of the city’s buses or trains. Whether you rent an apartment, condo, or house, you’re sure to be within close proximity to Portland’s many delights.
Portland’s vast parks, excellent biking trails, and natural landscapes have earned it the accolade of one of the nation’s “greenest cities.” Cobblestone streets and all-brick rowhouses are part of the Old Port’s and Arts District’s charm. These now-converted buildings house an array of coffee shops, brewpubs, bookstores, art galleries, and boutiques. The waterfront port and marina are an integral part of the city’s economy – but recently Portland has been attracting tech startups as well.
Portland is revered for its unpretentious arts scene. Established in 1882, the Portland Museum of Art is the largest art exhibit hall in Maine, featuring works by prestigious artists like Monet and Picasso. The Portland Symphony Orchestra conducts concerts throughout the year, drawing many residents and visitors alike. This coastal city has always been known for its lobster, hearty clam chowder soup, and wild blueberries. Portland has become a destination for foodies, with restaurants embracing the farm-to-fork philosophy. Many local eateries have been recognized for their ambiance and award-winning chefs.
As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Portland, ME is $1,508 for a studio, $1,800 for one bedroom, $2,049 for two bedrooms, and $2,733 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Portland has increased by 0.9% in the past year.
The cost of living in Portland, ME is 10.7% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Portland is 22.4% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,508 - $2,733. You can expect to pay 2.1% more for groceries, 7.6% more for utilities, and 8.2% more for transportation.
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
Very Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.
Some Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Very Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
This area is very bikeable. You’ll find a variety of bike paths and lanes.
Harrison Lyseth Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
496 Students
Public
Grades K-5
347 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
230 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
449 Students
Howard C Reiche Community School
Public
Grades PK-5
427 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
435 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
482 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
453 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
382 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
952 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
750 Students
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.
