1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portland, ME
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Portland, Maine as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $2,429 and +14% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Portland
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Portland
Compare Portland's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Maine
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterville | $832 |
| 2 | Presque Isle | $850 |
| 3 | Augusta | $890 |
| 4 | Rockland | $910 |
| 5 | Auburn | $980 |
| 6 | Lewiston | $980 |
| 7 | Bangor | $1,090 |
| 8 | Old Town | $1,100 |
| 9 | Bath | $1,110 |
| 10 | Orono | $1,210 |
| 11 | Sanford | $1,210 |
| 12 | Biddeford | $1,370 |
| 13 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,370 |
| 14 | Brunswick | $1,400 |
| 15 | Gorham | $1,450 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maine
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Elizabeth | $2,150 |
| 2 | Falmouth | $2,140 |
| 3 | Yarmouth | $1,800 |
| 4 | Scarborough | $1,800 |
| 5 | South Portland | $1,760 |
| 6 | Freeport | $1,690 |
| 7 | Kittery | $1,600 |
| 8 | Portland (this page) | $1,597 |
| 9 | Saco | $1,510 |
| 10 | Gorham | $1,450 |
| 11 | Brunswick | $1,400 |
| 12 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,370 |
| 13 | Biddeford | $1,370 |
| 14 | Sanford | $1,210 |
| 15 | Orono | $1,210 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Portland.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME | 2.7 mi | $1,760 | +$163 (+10%) |
| Falmouth, ME | 4.8 mi | $2,140 | +$543 (+34%) |
| Cape Elizabeth, ME | 6.5 mi | $2,150 | +$553 (+35%) |
| Scarborough, ME | 8.1 mi | $1,800 | +$203 (+13%) |
| Yarmouth, ME | 11.8 mi | $1,800 | +$203 (+13%) |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 12.5 mi | $1,370 | $-227 (-14%) |
| Gorham, ME | 12.8 mi | $1,450 | $-147 (-9%) |
| Saco, ME | 15.2 mi | $1,510 | $-87 (-5%) |
| Freeport, ME | 17.9 mi | $1,690 | +$93 (+6%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 18.8 mi | $1,370 | $-227 (-14%) |
| Brunswick, ME | 26.4 mi | $1,400 | $-197 (-12%) |
| Auburn, ME | 28.7 mi | $980 | $-617 (-39%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Portland — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Portland?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Portland, Maine is $1,597 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $2,429.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Portland?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $63,880 ($5,323/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.71/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portland expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portland's 1-bedroom median of $1,597 is +14% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 63th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portland rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maine?
Among the 24 cities in Maine with 1-bedroom data, Portland ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Portland?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Old Orchard Beach ($1,370), Gorham ($1,450), Saco ($1,510).