City profile
Portland, ME
Coastal foodie city with lighthouses, a walkable Old Port and lots of retirees.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
23°F
Summer avg
70°F
Sunny days / yr
200
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$520,000
Typical monthly housing
$3,226
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
115
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.09%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.15%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.50%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 77/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Ice storm, Hurricane
Nearest major airport
3 mi to Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 63% Democratic / 34% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
68,854
Growth since 2019
+3.4%
Median age
37.8
Residents 65+
16.3%
Median household income
$79,540
Income growth since 2019
+31.5%
Black household income
$44,567
Home ownership
46.9%
Poverty rate
11.2%
Poverty rate, 65+
9.1%
Race & ethnicity: Black 9.1% · White 77.5% · Hispanic 3.1% · Asian 3.9% · Other 6.4%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
251 · 24% below the national average
Property crime
1,943 · 25% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Portland Police Department. State average: violent 95, property 961.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸ME is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home insurance costs are among the lowest in the U.S.
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Celebrated food scene
- Walkable Old Port
- Low insurance costs
Trade-offs
- Long cold winters
- Rising home prices
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.