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Famous for its working waterfronts, South Portland, Maine is ,no doubt, one of the most stunning cities in Maine. But is it worth living in?

We investigated deep to know the city in and out and here’s our conclusion – South Portland is amazingly beautiful to raise a family.

But what about the expenses, housing cost, transportation, healthcare, jobs, and schools here?

Worry not as we have got every bit of information you would need about the fourth-largest city in Maine.

Here’s our ultimate South Portland, Maine moving guide which is absolutely accurate and highly informative.

Let’s delve into South Portland facts.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to South Portland, ME

  • South Portland was first settled by Europeans in 1630.
  • The area got incorporated as a town in 1895.
  • South Portland is the 4th largest city in Maine.
  • Mill Cove in South Portland is a nature preserve of 31 acres of tidal flats, salt marsh and upland areas visited by many bird species.
  • Despite its name, the city was never a part of the city of Portland.
  • The economy is diverse but predominantly is based on oil and natural gas.
  • The population is predominantly white.
  • The climate is moderate here.

Top 10 things to know before moving to South Portland, ME

  • South Portland is not racially diverse but has a White majority.
  • The crime rate is moderate in South Portland.
  • Substance abuse is one of the highest in Maine.
  • South Portland has a temperate and moderate climate.
  • Rainfall is generally consistent throughout the year.
  • The city has good job options.
  • There is low risk of natural disasters.
  • Property prices are higher in South Portland.
  • The city has one of the most educated populations in Maine.
  • The poverty rate is one of the lowest in the US.

What's the population of South Portland, ME?

About 26,428 people reside in South Portland, which means 2153 persons per square mile. South Portland has a population of 148,113 people which means 4,195 people per square mile. There are 11,484 housing units in the city and about 6.7% of the population lives below the poverty line. The city population is growing annually and currently, it is the 4th largest in Maine. As per the latest statistics, about 49.1% of the residents are males while 51.0% are females.

To know the population better, here are a few stats.

  • South Portland’s total population is 62,428.
  • The population is made up of 49.1% males and 50.2% females.
  • The median age in South Portland is 40.6.
  • The city population is made up of 92.5% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 2.2% Asian, and 2.4% from two or more races.
  • About 2.1% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • South Portland is the 4th most populated city in Maine.
  • The median household size in South Portland is 2.3 persons.
  • About 44.3% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 20.2% of the residents are single and have children.

How fast can you commute to South Portland, ME?

South Portland is smaller in size that means the population is low and the roads less crowded even at peak hours. This makes commuting to the office less tiring. The average one-way commute in South Portland is 18.8 minutes. This is much lower than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly, here are the latest stats.

  • About 78.1% drive their car alone
  • About 10.6% carpool with others
  • About 4.2% work from home
  • Approximately 2.1% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in South Portland, ME.

What is the weather like in South Portland, ME?

While you have a plan to relocate to South Portland, you need to know that the city has a temperate climate with moderate temperatures year-round. The summers are usually warm and sunny while the winters are mild and occasionally snowy. During summers, the day temperature will touch the highs of 80 degrees while in winters; temperatures typically stay between 25 and 35 degrees.

We’ve got a few additional facts about the South Portland climate.

  • The city receives about 49 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • South Portland averages 56 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 196 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 129 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
move to South Portland

Top reasons to move to South Portland, ME

South Portland is one of the best places to raise a family. And for those who still wonder about the exact reasons, we’ve collated a few positives of South Portland.

Here are the accurate reasons.

  • Neighborhood charm
  • Good food scene
  • Environment friendly policies
  • Amazing outdoors
pros and cons of South Portland

Pros & Cons of moving to South Portland, ME

While it is true that South Portland has got many positive sides that may tempt you to relocate, there are many negative sides as well.

And we’ve collated a few pros and cons of moving to South Portland that you need to smartly gauge before making the final call.

The pros
  • Low Sales tax
  • Highly educated people
  • Low risk of natural disasters
  • High government spending
  • More sunny days
The cons
  • High property cost
  • Low population diversity
  • Fewer good air days
  • Wet weather

Best neighborhoods in South Portland, ME

As you reach Portland, your first priority would be to find a good home in a decent neighborhood.

Having a list of best places to search for a home will help you in your initial days. And, we have got a list of the 10 best neighborhoods in South Portland.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1. Knightville 470 $440,626
2. South Portland Gardens 23,646 $430,277
3. Pleasantdale 2,745 $377,928
4. Ferry Village 2,352 $430,100
5. Stanwood Park 1,783 $521,306
6. Meeting House Hill 1,950 $521,206
7. Cash Corner 890 $416,400
8. Stroudwater 720 $477,800
9. North Windham 4,904 $424,700
10. Broadview Park 980 $422,450

Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in South Portland, ME, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Cost of living in South Portland, ME

There is no denying that the cost of living is a major factor in determining whether we should move to a new place.

And while moving to South Portland, this matters highly as you are relocating to a highly expensive city in Maine. Everything ranging from housing, transport, and groceries is costly in South Portland.

We’ve got a break up of the costs of basic things in South Portland which may give you a general idea.

Living Expense South Portland Maine National Average
Overall 109.4 97 100
Grocery 110.4 107.1 100
Health 90.5 96.5 100
Housing 149.1 103.45 100
Median Home Cost $434,500 $334,000 $338,100
Utilities 102.7 103.6 100
Transportation 75.8 79.2 100
Miscellaneous 114.1 92.2 100

How is the job market in South Portland, ME?

South Portland has a booming economy that contributes to a rise in jobs.

The jobs are expected to go up in recent years and when you are moving to South Portland for the job, you are making the right decision. And to help you know more about the job market in South Portland, we’ve collated a few job-related facts, which may benefit you.

  • The job growth in South Portland has been positive.
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 39.2%.
  • The unemployment rate here is 4.7%.
  • Jobs have increased by 1.2% over the past year.
  • The average salary in South Portland is $49,000.
  • The median home cost in South Portland is $434,500.

Here is a breakdown table to better understand the South Portland job market.

Employment Information South Portland, Maine United States
The income per Cap $42,822 $31,177
Household Income $73,899 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 4.7 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -6.09% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 39.19% 33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in South Portland, ME

South Portland has a growing economy and many people relocate here for job reasons. Knowing the jobs that are high in demand will be helpful. To help them, we’ve made a table of the fastest-growing jobs along with the average salary.

Here are the top ten fastest-growing jobs in South Portland and the areas nearby.

Rank Job Title Growth% Average salary
1 Nurse practictioner 124.7% $104.234
2 Software developer 121.6% $102,280
3 Taxi driver 119.3% $29,320
4 Business analyst 115.6% $47,230
5 Mechanic 113.8% $47,260
6 Registered nurse 111.5% $69,230
7 Information technology manager 110.1% $118,780
8 Medical assistant 101.4% $38,220
9 Management consultant 91.9% $74,320
10 Bartender 89.3% $29,720

Top career options in South Portland, ME

While you look for a job in South Portland, having a list of the best-paid jobs in a city makes things easier. And knowing this, we’ve filtered out the highest-paying jobs in South Portland and nearby areas.

Rank Job Title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Nurse anesthetists $195,610 $166,000
2 Family medicine practitioners $168,090 $102,910
3 General dentists $140,110 $135,970
4 Personal financial advisors $134,780 $63,960
5 Chief executives $134,550 $66,760
6 Computer and information systems managers $132,450 $95,420
7 General pediatricians $132,060 $102,910
8 Natural science managers $130,580 $95,660
9 Financial managers $130,270 $80,710
10 Pharmacists $129,680 $76,380

What's the average salary & income in South Portland, ME?

Your lifestyle is based on income and when your new moving destination is South Portland where the cost of living is extremely high, it is natural to be curious about the average salary you receive here. And the average salary you’ll receive is much higher than the US average. A good job can get you approximately $49,000.

Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in South Portland.

  • South Portland’s average annual pay for average jobs is $49,000 a year.
  • South Portland’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $23.0 an hour.
  • South Portland’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $901 per week.
  • South Portland’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $4,083 per month.
  • South Portland’s top earners (90th percentile) make $91,000 annually.

Major industries in South Portland, ME

When you are at the leg of moving and a job is a major priority, it is good to know the major industries in the city. This helps you analyze whether moving to South Portland is a wise decision.

Here is a list of major industries in South Portland.

  • Oil and petroleum
  • Banking and Finance
  • Tourism
  • Commercial shipping

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to South Portland, ME

We all prefer working at a place that is employee-friendly and productive. And when you’re in South Portland, having a list of the best companies to work for will be of great help. We’ve researched to find 10 firms that rank high in employee satisfaction.

Here’s the list.

  • Peregrine
  • WEX
  • Dead River
  • Residential Mortgage Services
  • Southern Maine Community College
  • VNA Home Health Hospice
  • Day One
  • National Distributors
  • Kris Way Truck Leasing
  • Portland Shellfish Limited

How is the housing market in South Portland, ME?

Housing is highly expensive in South Portland, whether you are buying one or looking to rent one. And when you are in search to buy a house in South Portland, be ready to shell out about $434,500, as this is the average home value here. This is much higher than the national average. Interestingly, the realty prices in the city have gone up in recent years and are expected to go further up in the coming years. While about 38.3% of the city residents stay in rented homes, only 2.3% of homes in the city are available for rent, which is another reason for the burning rents.

We’ve got a few housing facts that will help you.

  • South Portland’s median home cost is $434,500.
  • The median age of South Portland real estate is 58 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 121.4%.
  • Renters make up 38.3% of the South Portland population.
  • About 2.3% of houses and apartments in the city are available to rent.

Average rental prices in South Portland, ME

During the initial days in South Portland, you’ll be in rented homes and the home rental would definitely impact your earning. Hence, it is natural to be curious to know the rent details. Knowing this, we’ve got you the rental facts in South Portland.

  • South Portland’s average rent for a studio apartment is $1,360
  • South Portland’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $1,570
  • South Portland’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $2,030
  • South Portland’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $2,560
  • South Portland’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $2,920

What are taxes like in South Portland, ME?

When you calculate the final income, your take-home salary would be minus the tax levied and hence, it is vital to know the different taxes in South Portland.

Having an idea of different taxes in South Portland makes it easier to calculate the earnings, based on which you can decide whether moving here would be a wise decision.

Here are a few tax-related facts existing in South Portland, ME.

  • The Sales Tax Rate for South Portland is 5.5%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The income tax in South Portland is 7.2% which is the same as the US average of 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in South Portland is 1.09%.

 

What are the best things to do in South Portland, ME?

South Portland is amazingly pretty in terms of nature and is home to many wonders both indoor and outdoor. The city is culturally and historically rich and has many iconic landmarks that you shouldn’t miss once you are here

To make things easier for you, we’ve filtered down 10 top things to do in South Portland.

  • Go jogging at Greenbelt Walkway
  • Stroll along Spring Point Shoreway
  • Relax at Bug Light Park
  • Check out the statues at Calvary Cemetery
  • Play some bowling at Easy Day
  • Wander through Mill Creek Park
  • Sunbathe and beach comb at Willard Beach
  • Visit the Liberty Ship Memorial
  • Catch a play at the Mad Horse Theatre Company
  • Visit the Maine Military Museum

How safe is South Portland, ME?

Safety is a major factor in deciding a new moving destination. And when South Portland is your new destination, you are fortunate as the city is much safer than 32% of the US cities. As per the latest crime statistics, about 47% of the residents feel pretty safe in South Portland.

To help you know the crime stats in South Portland, we’ve got a few facts.

  • South Portland’s violent crime is 14.0 while the US average is 22.7.
  • South Portland’s property crime is 39.7 while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 482 in South Portland.
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 77 in South Portland.
  • About 47% of the population feels safe in South Portland.

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

What are the top schools in South Portland, ME?

South Portland takes pride in its high ranking in education. The city has more educated residents than most Maine cities.

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