Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Nothing Found
None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.
South Portland, Maine is a medium-sized city with a population of 26,521 residents. According to the most recent Census, 89% of South Portland residents are White, 5% Black and 2% Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 47% of the South Portland population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? South Portland offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in South Portland can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Maine, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around South Portland, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, education, employment, housing and more.
Using data and statistics South Portland has received a livability score of 79/100. This score is ranked in the 93rd percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, South Portland would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that South Portland ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that South Portland has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (B-), crime (B+), education (B-), employment (B+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, South Portland does not have favorable grades for the following: cost of living (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. South Portland has a violent crime rate of 63 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far 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 South 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.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in South Portland. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in South Portland are affordable. The median home price for South Portland homes is $508,509, which is 63.4% higher than the Maine average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in South Portland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 24.4% higher than the Maine average.
| Statistic | South Portland | Maine | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.4% | 78.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.3% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.6% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 4.0% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 5.5% | 4.6% |
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