Portland 76 Excellent
Portland Livability #59 ranked city in Connecticut#3,637 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Portland

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Portland?

Portland is a smaller city located in the state of Connecticut. The city has a population of 6,128 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 93% of Portland residents are White, 1% Black and 0% Asian. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Portland, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 25 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Portland is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Connecticut, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Portland and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Connecticut and national averages.

With a livability score of 74/100, Portland is ranked #4,119 in the United States and #58 in Connecticut. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Portland ranks well for crime (A+), education (B+), employment (B+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Portland does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Portland gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 0 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Portland apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Portland is real estate affordability. The median home price for Portland homes is $401,022, which is 18.1% lower than the Connecticut average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Portland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 23.9% lower than the Connecticut average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Portland

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      Portland transportation information

      Statistic Portland Connecticut National
      Average one way commute25min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work90.7%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.9%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%4.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.4%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Portland, CT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.