Cumberland County · Portland-South Portland · population 26,994
Where South Portland stands
At or near all-time high. rents up 5.1% in the last year.
Home value trajectory · last 10 years
Zillow ZHVI · monthlyLifestyle scores
Scores are heuristic estimates from population density, state, and known transit/walkable cities. Not based on a paid Walk Score / Transit Score API — see methodology for the formula.
Rent trajectory · last 5 years
Zillow ZORI · monthlyHome value vs rent · indexed to 100
Both rebased at first month of ZORI data (~2015)Rent vs buy
At a 18.0 price-to-rent ratio, South Portland is in the 'depends on horizon' zone. Buy if you'll be there 5+ years and value flexibility on the home; rent if you might move, want zero maintenance friction, or expect rates to drop.
How the momentum score breaks down
methodology →South Portland has held up across the cycle: home values at $523,732 with +6.2% 5-year CAGR. The bull case is structural — population, location, employer base — and holds even if next year's print is soft.
South Portland's bear case is the boring one: the cycle is real and any market that's run hard can stall. Watch for slowing population growth, rising days-on-market, or builder discounts as the early warning signals.
About South Portland
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, with an estimated population of 26,994. It anchors the Portland-South Portland metro area. The median home value in South Portland is $523,732 as of 2026-04, up 2.2% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +6.2% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in South Portland average $2,429 per month, up 5.1% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 72 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
▲ Bull case
▼ Bear case
About South Portland (Wikipedia)
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-most populous city in the state, incorporated in 1898. At the 2020 census, the city population was 26,498. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Due to South Portland's close proximity to air, marine, rail, and highway transportation options, the city has become a center for retail and industry in the region. The Maine Mall, the largest shopping mall in the state, is located in South Portland. It is also a designated Tree City USA community.
Source: Wikipedia · this summary is contributed and licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Playbook
You're not in a frenzy but you're not getting bargains either. Make a competitive offer with normal inspection terms. Don't lowball — the listing will move with or without you.
Price at fair market value; expect movement in 30-45 days. Don't get clever with terms (rent-back, contingencies) — buyers in a Rising market have options.
Appreciation tailwind exists but cash flow requires discipline on price. Run the numbers conservatively and confirm rent comps before committing.
Local safety & alerts
No active National Weather Service alerts for Cumberland County right now.
Public-safety links are official .gov sources, not curated by us. Cumberland County routes NWS alerts; check the state EM portal for non-weather emergencies.
Cities like South Portland
Run the numbers for South Portland
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.
Climate & natural-disaster risk
State-level averages from NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020) and FEMA National Risk Index. City-level conditions can vary significantly within a state.
Current weather
Find rentals & listings
Open current South Portland listings on the major real-estate sites.
Links open the live search on the destination site — results are always current.
Local news & community
Latest news
- City of South Portland considers whether to renew contract for flock camerasnewscentermaine.com · 11h ago
- South Portland Reconsiders AI License Plate Cameras After Privacy Concerns92 Moose · 15h ago
- Maine Jamaican Kitchen Has Grand Opening in South Portland, Maine94.3 WCYY · 1d ago
- Controversial cameras pit police against privacy concerns in South PortlandWGME · 22h ago
- FOODEESFEST PORTLAND, MAINE (40+ food trucks and craft vendors!)Maine Public · 2h ago
- Here’s Where Locals and Tourists Love to Eat in South Portland, MaineWBLM · 5d ago
Updated 2026-05-21 from Google News + Reddit RSS. Headlines link to original sources.
Local sports teams
Major professional teams the Portland-South Portland area cheers for. Detailed stats, schedules, and player pages on intherafters.com.
Local economy & environment
Humidity is annual average relative humidity (NOAA). Income is Census ACS 5-year estimate. Industries are largest employment sectors statewide (BLS); the local mix in a given city may vary.
Cities similar to South Portland
Explore other places with comparable momentum or affordability.