Livability Score

85
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (30) A+
Entertainment (44) A+
Food and Drink (80) A+
Fitness (13) A+
Groceries (29) A+
Parks (95) A+
Shops (72) A+
See more Portland amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 2.5% take public transportation in Portland.
Public Transit Stops (45)
Stops & Stations
A+
Workers Taking Public Transit
2.5%
F
See more Portland commute data

cost of living D-

The cost of living in Portland is 121/100 - which is 18% higher than Maine.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
B
See more Portland cost of living data

crime B+

Portland crime rates are 1,870 per 100k, which is 42% higher than Maine
Property Crime
1,685 crimes per 100k
C+
Violent Crime
185 crimes per 100k
A
See more Portland crime data

employment B+

The median income in Portland is $61,695 - which is 21% higher than Maine.
Med. Household Income
$61,695
C-
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
A+
See more Portland employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (48)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A-
See more Portland health & safety data

housing A-

Portland home prices are $302,700 - which is 72% higher than Maine
Home Price
$302,700
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
18%
A+
Home Affordability
4.9x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Portland housing data

schools C+

The Portland graduation rate is 89% - which is 2% higher than Maine
School Test Scores
47%
F
High School Grad. Rates
89%
B
Elementary Schools (18) F
High Schools (7) A
See more Portland education data

ratings C+

Portland has an overall rating of 66% from 14 reviews.
User Reviews (5)
From AreaVibes
C
User Surveys (9)
From AreaVibes
B
See more Portland user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Portland, ME
( 14 Ratings )

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Portland Reviews

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If you have an animal ethic, don’t come here! 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 09, 2018) I joined this site for the sole purpose of writing this one review. We walked for an hour before finding the one non-juice vegan option in town (@Portland Regency Hotel & Spa-vegan “pulled pork”-not a fan of the name-how about “imitation shredded pig flesh” uuggg). In t ...Read More hat time we walk by two poor overheated horses tugging lazy bastards around a cobblestone road. How cruel and lazy a place is this?! ZERO for a vegan. Vegans like the ocean...vegans like ships...vegans like shops...but Portland Doesn’t like vegans. I am so disgusted with how many thousands of lobsters are boiled to death and how many crustaceans are steamed to death. we agree with “Don’t come here”! We were only passing through but will still never come here again. Read Less
Horrible place to rent 1.5 rating By treehuggerapple ( Nov 09, 2017) Portland could be one of the most incredibly amazing places on the East coast, but unfortunately the rental market makes it a miserable place to live. Lets start out with the positives. Casco bay is just gorgeous and the folks out in the hinterland are are a splendid lot, living ...Read More what appears at times a storybook life. Where else in the world can you put money into a jar, for say some veggies, and rest assured that the rightful owner will enjoy the bounty for a summer's hard work? Portland is a great place to enjoy awesome local Kombucha, brew, spirits and treats. The restaurants are good, but lets face it, a quick trip down to Providence would set one straight with reality. We are responsible omnivores that do not advise vegetarians to base their move on the food scene. Overall, come on up if you are independently wealthy and can afford to buy shelter.My experience as a renter has been the worst in my life since I moved to Portland. Perhaps a run of bad luck, but I don't think so. My first experience was with a massive rental management company whose name I fear to mention. The apartment that I was forced to stay in, or lose a year of rent, had a wretched sewer smell emanating from the basement. The day I called it in, I could hear workers splashing in (I'm assuming) sewage. After explaining the situation to the rental company, I was asked if it was a surfer smell. Yes, the day I moved in the empty apartment smelled like the most amazing asian food (could they have actually piped spicy smell into the apartment to mask the smell -still a mystery to me). If you don't mind being treated like a college freshman without a cosigner, by all means rent from Porland's #1 juggernaut rental management company. My second experience was with an individual. Suffice it to say that at least one Portland landlord is intolerant of pregnant people. OK, I'm not talking about crying babies, but pregnant people. If you don't mind camping for a month in your 3rd trimester, do some homework about any potential landlords in Portland. Please do yourself a favor and watch the rental market for at least 6 months before making a decision to move here. Rental costs can increase $100 per year based on market prices, whatever that means. The last time I checked, the ability to find meaningful work that pays a living wage needed to be factored into the market value of shelter. I was raised to believe that rental property was an equity builder not a job. Not the case her - beware. One last thing - educate yourself on the economic term "consumer surplus." Cheers and safe traveling Read Less
This page is very inaccurate. I live in Portland. 5 rating By shellwake ( Aug 24, 2016) These statistics are horribly wrong. It's so shameful. I may need to find the time to come back to add more accurate links. I will say that if you move here you will fall in love. I hate the winters but it is too hard to leave because there are so many good things here that I wou ...Read More ld be leaving that too. There is no place like it. (Believe me. I've searched for a version of this Portland with milder winters for a long time now.) Everyone is proud of our city. I find that number 1 reason people leave here is because of the snow. 2nd reason, their job is asking them to relocate somewhere. 3rd the cost of housing. There is a lot of help for very low income but for people that don't fit in that bracket it's a bit pricey. The minimum wage for our city was raised very recently to help combat that. The raise was only for Portland and not the rest of the state but it's still rough for people like me. It's worth it though. That's why there are so many people packed into under 22 sq. miles of land. Supposedly, in 2016, 40% of the state population lives in Portland which means it's only a short drive to get away from the city and into nature. We have more trees than any other state and no poisonous snakes or other creatures. No mountain lions or grizzly bears. The woods are safe! The water and air are clean. It is awesome. I would write more but I need to go! Read Less
Portland is the best place to life 5 rating By farid ( Nov 10, 2013) Portland is nice place for the family for kids to grow nice people .I was living in Portland Maine .I have alot of good Memory and I learn good think from Maine .My father Professor Dr Mohammad Hassan Muti past away on Nov 4 2008 in Portland Maine at age 74 .good bless him .and ...Read More thanks for President Barak Obama and first Lady mitchelle Obama for their kind Condoless letter for Professor Muti ,Governer Johan Baldacci and congressman Tom allan Senator Olympia Snow all american friends for their condoless Letters during our Hard time Farid Muti United State of America,Thanks for the us governament and american friend help our family in the united State Read Less
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This page is very inaccurate. I live in Portland. 5 rating By shellwake ( Aug 24, 2016) These statistics are horribly wrong. It's so shameful. I may need to find the time to come back to add more accurate links. I will say that if you move here you will fall in love. I hate the winters but it is too hard to leave because there are so many good things here that I wou ...Read More ld be leaving that too. There is no place like it. (Believe me. I've searched for a version of this Portland with milder winters for a long time now.) Everyone is proud of our city. I find that number 1 reason people leave here is because of the snow. 2nd reason, their job is asking them to relocate somewhere. 3rd the cost of housing. There is a lot of help for very low income but for people that don't fit in that bracket it's a bit pricey. The minimum wage for our city was raised very recently to help combat that. The raise was only for Portland and not the rest of the state but it's still rough for people like me. It's worth it though. That's why there are so many people packed into under 22 sq. miles of land. Supposedly, in 2016, 40% of the state population lives in Portland which means it's only a short drive to get away from the city and into nature. We have more trees than any other state and no poisonous snakes or other creatures. No mountain lions or grizzly bears. The woods are safe! The water and air are clean. It is awesome. I would write more but I need to go! Read Less
Portland is the best place to life 5 rating By farid ( Nov 10, 2013) Portland is nice place for the family for kids to grow nice people .I was living in Portland Maine .I have alot of good Memory and I learn good think from Maine .My father Professor Dr Mohammad Hassan Muti past away on Nov 4 2008 in Portland Maine at age 74 .good bless him .and ...Read More thanks for President Barak Obama and first Lady mitchelle Obama for their kind Condoless letter for Professor Muti ,Governer Johan Baldacci and congressman Tom allan Senator Olympia Snow all american friends for their condoless Letters during our Hard time Farid Muti United State of America,Thanks for the us governament and american friend help our family in the united State Read Less
Have a Nice Time in Portland, Maine 4 rating By Anonymous ( Aug 09, 2010) Some cities are fast paced, others are laid back. Portland, Maine is a beautiful laid back city. Just because it is laid back doesn't mean it's not an exciting place to visit, it is. The old port area is a must if you make the trip to Portland. I had a great time in the area and ...Read More enjoyed a great seafood meal. If you don't know, Portland is known for having some of the best seafood.

A trip to the city of Portland wouldn't be complete without getting out and taking in the great view of the ocean. The views of the Atlantic Ocean are great in Portland and it seemed like I was taken back to a simpler time. I found the whole experience to be quite relaxing.

The people in Portland are very friendly and have no problem recommending their favorite restaurants or pointing you in the right direction when you are lost. I was lost on several occasions and the people were more than happy to help me out. I also caught a show at the Merrill theater and would recommend that to anybody considering a visit to the great city of Portland, Maine. Read Less

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Portland Awards

Compare Portland, ME Livability

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      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Portland? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Lincoln Park
      Bayside Playground
      Peppermint Park
      Post Office Park
      Cummingham Playground
      Tommy's Park
      Bayside Trail
      Portland Square Park

      Entertainment

      Mayo Street Arts
      Maine Jewish Museum
      Merrill Auditorium
      Nickelodeon Cinemas
      Grant Wahlquist Gallery
      Güven Gallery
      Wadsworth-Longfellow House
      Pearl Ultra Nightclub

      Food & Drink

      Grace
      Cocktail Mary
      Tomaso's Canteen
      Portland Hunt + Alpine Club
      Eighty8 Donuts
      Sebago Brewing Company
      Dunkin'
      Citrus

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Portland? Of all people who commute, 2.5% take public transportation in Portland.
      Drive to Work
      62%

      14% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      3%

      3% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      12%

      10% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Portland a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Brighton Medical Center
      Maine Medical Center
      Mercy Hospital - Fore River Campus
      Martin's Point Health Care

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      Rite Aid

      Doctors

      Iris Network for the Blind
      Maine Eye Center
      Maine Orthotics & Prosthetics