City · 26,930 residents · Cumberland County, Maine
South Portland, Maine
In South Portland, a typical home is worth $441,200 and typical rent is $1,812 a month. Compared with all of Cumberland County, typical rent is 14% higher, typical household income is 9% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 12 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $407,012 to $518,922.
Typical rent
$2,413a month
▲ 2.4% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,903 to $2,413.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
South Portland is in Cumberland County. The FHA loan limit ($615,250 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Cumberland County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
South Portland has the highest typical rent of the 33 cities in Maine with more than 5,000 people: $1,812.
2
Nearby, in Old Orchard Beach, the typical rent is $1,246: 31% less than in South Portland ($1,812).
3
Nearby, in Old Orchard Beach, the typical home value is $366,600: 17% less than in South Portland ($441,200).
4
58% of households in South Portland own their home, against 70% in Cumberland County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in South Portland
What homes there are in South Portland, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Kind of home: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Detached house
53%
63%
70%
61%
Attached house
5%
5%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
15%
13%
10%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
26%
15%
9%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
4%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In South Portland, 5 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Cumberland County, 6.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Year built: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Before 1960
45%
35%
34%
26%
1960–1979
16%
20%
20%
24%
1980–1999
21%
23%
25%
25%
2000–2009
11%
12%
12%
14%
2010 or later
8%
10%
9%
11%
In South Portland, half of the homes were built before 1968; in Cumberland County, before 1976.
Homes in South Portland are smaller: 47% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Cumberland County, 56%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K2%
$100K–$200K3%
$200K–$300K15%
$300K–$500K43%
$500K–$750K25%
FHA limit: $615,250
$750K–$1M10%
$1M or more2%
Value of owner-occupied homes: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Under $100K
2%
$100K–$200K
3%
$200K–$300K
15%
$300K–$500K
43%
$500K–$750K
25%
$750K–$1M
10%
$1M or more
2%
By price, most homes in South Portland sit under the FHA limit for Cumberland County ($615,250): about 75%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99910%
$1,000–$1,49917%
$1,500–$1,99925%
$2,000–$2,49924%
$2,500–$2,99912%
$3,000 or more4%
Monthly rent with utilities: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
10%
$1,000–$1,499
17%
$1,500–$1,999
25%
$2,000–$2,499
24%
$2,500–$2,999
12%
$3,000 or more
4%
With a mortgage
$1,938 a month
Cumberland County: $2,186 a month
Without a mortgage
$689 a month
Cumberland County: $840 a month
Owners with a mortgage
67%
Cumberland County: 63%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in South Portland is $1,938 a month, less than in Cumberland County ($2,186); without one, $689.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
South Portland+72%
Cumberland County+62%
Maine+56%
United States+53%
Typical rent
South Portland+39%
Cumberland County+41%
Maine+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
South Portland+25%
Cumberland County+31%
Maine+29%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Typical home value
+72%
+62%
+56%
+53%
Typical rent
+39%
+41%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+25%
+31%
+29%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in South Portland gained value faster than in Cumberland County: 72% against 62%.
The typical rent in South Portland rose 39% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Cumberland County (41%).
Housing prices ran ahead of income in South Portland: typical income rose 25%, against +72% for home values and +39% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: South Portland and its comparisons
Measure
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.9%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
1.4%
3.4%
People per household
2.16
2.26
2.26
2.53
Drive alone
66%
64%
71%
69%
Carpool
6%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
6%
6%
4%
3%
Work from home
20%
22%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in South Portland has 2.16 people on average, about the same as in Cumberland County (2.26).
To get to work, 66% of workers in South Portland drive alone; in Cumberland County, 64%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in South Portland?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in South Portland, worth $441,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 51% of the typical household income in South Portland, which is $86,838 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $157,614 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cumberland County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in South Portland. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $15,442 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$3,678
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$433,209
Total interest
$623,286
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $7,451 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,026 a month
Tight
$2,026 to $2,605 a month
Hard
more than $2,605 a month
Your payment · 51%
Compared with the typical household income in South Portland ($86,838 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,935
Property tax
$364
Home insurance
$184
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$195
You need at least $15,442 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $3,678; principal and interest $2,935.
The city and its county
South Portland and Cumberland County
South Portland is in Cumberland County, Maine. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
South Portland
Map of Cumberland County, Maine, with South Portland marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
South Portland
Cumberland County
Other cities with a page
South Portland's own numbers
Typical home value
$441,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,812
Typical yearly household income
$86,838
Households that own their home
58%
Effective property tax rate
0.99%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Cumberland County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$615,250
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,941–$2,353
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+67%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Cumberland County.
A typical home in South Portland is worth $441,200: 2% below the county and 49% above Maine. With the typical household income in South Portland ($86,838 a year), a typical home costs 5.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
South Portland5.1 years
Cumberland4.7 years
Maine4.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Cumberland County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cumberland County rose 116% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cumberland County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Cumberland County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.0% +4.0% 2016
2017: +6.3% +6.3% 2017
2018: +6.4% +6.4% 2018
2019: +4.9% +4.9% 2019
2020: +4.9% +4.9% 2020
2021: +14.9% +14.9% 2021
2022: +18.8% +18.8% 2022
2023: +11.6% +11.6% 2023
2024: +5.5% +5.5% 2024
2025: +4.1% +4.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Cumberland County, Maine and the United States
Period
County
Maine
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.1%
+4.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+67%
+68%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+116%
+112%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
South Portland next to Cumberland County, Maine and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
South Portland$441,200
Cumberland$451,200
Maine$296,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
South Portland$1,812
Cumberland$1,589
Maine$1,139
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
South Portland$86,838
Cumberland$95,677
Maine$74,733
United States$80,734
See the full table
South Portland next to Cumberland County and Maine
Measure
South Portland
Cumberland County
Maine
U.S.
Typical home value
$441,200 ▼2% below the county
$451,200
$296,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,812 ▲14% above the county
$1,589
$1,139
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$86,838 ▼9% below the county
$95,677
$74,733
$80,734
Households that own their home
58% ▼12 points below the county
70%
74%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,359 ▼7% below the county
$4,707
$3,036
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.99% ▼0.05 points below the county
1.04%
1.02%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
56% ▲6 points above the county
50%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cumberland County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in South Portland
For a typical $441,200 home in South Portland, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, South Portland's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,678a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$15,442
Cash to close
$28,678
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $195
Conventional, 5% down$3,597a month
Down payment
$22,060
Cash to close
$35,296
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $210
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,939a month
Down payment
$88,240
Cash to close
$101,476
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,347a month
Down payment
$66,180
Cash to close
$79,416
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in South Portland
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,678
$15,442
$433,209
7.18%
FHA MIP · $195
$28,678
580
Conventional, 5% down
$3,597
$22,060
$419,140
7.18%
PMI · $210
$35,296
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,939
$88,240
$352,960
7.18%
None
$101,476
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,347
$66,180
$375,020
8.18%
None
$79,416
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in South Portland is $1,812 a month: 14% above the county. In South Portland, 56% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for each area of Cumberland County; South Portland is in Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,353 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $45.25 an hour working full time.
Fair market rent by size in Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,639
$31.52
$65,560
1 bedroom
$1,864
$35.85
$74,560
2 bedrooms
$2,353
$45.25
$94,120
3 bedrooms
$2,902
$55.81
$116,080
4 bedrooms
$3,092
$59.46
$123,680
HUD splits this county into 2 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $1,941 to $2,353. The table by area, below, shows which one each town is in.
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
Fair market rent by HUD area in Cumberland County
HUD splits this county into 2 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.
Fair market rent by HUD area in Cumberland County
HUD area
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
Hourly wage, 2 bd
Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR AreaThe area where most people liveSouth Portland is in this area19 towns in this area
Cape Elizabeth town, Casco town, Chebeague Island town, Cumberland town, Falmouth town, Freeport town, Frye Island town, Gorham town, Gray town, Long Island town, North Yarmouth town, Portland city, Raymond town, Scarborough town, South Portland city, Standish town, Westbrook city, Windham town, Yarmouth town
$1,639
$1,864
$2,353
$2,902
$3,092
$45.25
Cumberland County, ME (part) HUD Metro FMR Area9 towns in this area
Baldwin town, Bridgton town, Brunswick town, Harpswell town, Harrison town, Naples town, New Gloucester town, Pownal town, Sebago town
$1,545
$1,561
$1,941
$2,425
$3,244
$37.33
HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in South Portland
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). South Portland is in ZIP code 04106.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,640.
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in South Portland, fiscal year 2027.
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Cumberland County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for South Portland or Cumberland County. The ones below are statewide in Maine: they work in South Portland the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Maine state agency's First Home mortgage, the buyer gets $5,000 for the down payment and closing costs (up to $14,000 for 2- to 4-unit homes), with no second mortgage.Offered by MaineHousing.
Maine state agency mortgage with a rate 1% lower than its First Home mortgage and a $10,000 grant for the down payment and closing costs, with no second mortgage; for people who have never owned a home and never lived in a home their parents or guardians owned, or who were in foster care.Offered by MaineHousing.
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of South Portland, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.
Ask for service in Spanish
When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.
Housing authorities of South Portland
HUD’s record names them for South Portland or Cumberland County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.
South Portland Housing AuthorityPublic housing and Section 8 vouchers(207) 773-4140
No legal help resource on our list is for South Portland or Cumberland County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for South Portland and all of Cumberland County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in South Portland?
The typical home value in South Portland is $441,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cumberland County it is $451,200.
How much does it cost to rent in South Portland?
Typical rent in South Portland is $1,812 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cumberland County is $1,941–$2,353.
What is the FHA loan limit in South Portland?
South Portland uses the FHA limit for all of Cumberland County (2026): $615,250 for a one-unit home and $1,183,200 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in South Portland?
The typical homeowner in South Portland pays $4,359 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.99% of the home’s value; in Cumberland County, the rate is 1.04%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in South Portland?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Cumberland County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
