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Portland

#10 in Best Places to Live in Maine
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Town in Maine
  • 102 reviews
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A-
    2. Crime & Safety
      C+
    3. Housing
      C
    4. Nightlife
      A+
    5. Good for Families
      A
    6. Diversity
      B+
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      C
    9. Cost of Living
      C-
    10. Health & Fitness
      A+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      A
    View Full Report Card
    Portland is a town in Maine with a population of 66,715. Portland is in Cumberland County and is one of the best places to live in Maine. Living in Portland offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Portland there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Portland and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Portland are highly rated.
    Population
    66,715

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $261,100
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,018
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Urban Suburban Mix
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      56%
    • Own
      44%
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    Portland Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C+
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      120.8
      282.7
    • Murder
      3
      6.1
    • Rape
      71.6
      40.7
    • Robbery
      82
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      247.5
      500.1
    • Theft
      2,242.1
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      144.6
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B+
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      10%
    • 10-17 years
      7%
    • 18-24 years
      11%
    • 25-34 years
      21%
    • 35-44 years
      13%
    • 45-54 years
      13%
    • 55-64 years
      12%
    • 65+ years
      14%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      19%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      28%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      26%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      19%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      7%
      13%

    Working in Portland

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $51,430
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Portland
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    Portland Reviews

    102 reviews
    All Categories
    Portland is hip, oceanside, friendly, and has great food and entertainment! What more could one want? I have lived in Portland for 18 years, and growing up here has been nothing but an inspiring experience. I have grown up spending days on the coast's best Crescent Beach, going downtown to watch local bands, and running around Maine's most beautiful public parks. It is absolutely perfect, and so beautiful.
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    Portland has been up and coming for some time now. It has a large variety of places to eat, shop, and explore. Plus, it's coastal so you get the experience of living on/near the ocean. The climate is pretty mild in the summer; it usually doesn't get too hot. As long as you can deal with snowy and long winters, this is the place for you!
    Portland is an eccentric and vibrant city in beautiful Maine. The restaurant scene is top-notch, complete with local craft breweries and diverse eateries. The local music scene is bustling, and we have more of a progressive stance in the city. Take a walk on the Eastern Promenade and savor the ocean, or drive 40 minutes west and explore nearby mountains. There is something for everyone here!