Studio Apartment Rent in Portland, ME
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Portland, Maine as of October 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $2,399 and +9% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Portland
Compare Portland's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maine
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockland | $810 |
| 2 | Augusta | $860 |
| 3 | Auburn | $890 |
| 4 | Lewiston | $890 |
| 5 | Bath | $980 |
| 6 | Bangor | $1,010 |
| 7 | Waterville | $1,063 |
| 8 | Sanford | $1,070 |
| 9 | Orono | $1,120 |
| 10 | Biddeford | $1,190 |
| 11 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,190 |
| 12 | Brunswick | $1,260 |
| 13 | Gorham | $1,280 |
| 14 | Saco | $1,340 |
| 15 | Portland (this page) | $1,407 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maine
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yarmouth | $1,590 |
| 2 | Scarborough | $1,580 |
| 3 | South Portland | $1,550 |
| 4 | Freeport | $1,490 |
| 5 | Kittery | $1,410 |
| 6 | Portland (this page) | $1,407 |
| 7 | Saco | $1,340 |
| 8 | Gorham | $1,280 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $1,260 |
| 10 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,190 |
| 11 | Biddeford | $1,190 |
| 12 | Orono | $1,120 |
| 13 | Sanford | $1,070 |
| 14 | Waterville | $1,063 |
| 15 | Bangor | $1,010 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Portland.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland, ME | 2.7 mi | $1,550 | +$143 (+10%) |
| Scarborough, ME | 8.1 mi | $1,580 | +$173 (+12%) |
| Yarmouth, ME | 11.8 mi | $1,590 | +$183 (+13%) |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 12.5 mi | $1,190 | $-217 (-15%) |
| Gorham, ME | 12.8 mi | $1,280 | $-127 (-9%) |
| Saco, ME | 15.2 mi | $1,340 | $-67 (-5%) |
| Freeport, ME | 17.9 mi | $1,490 | +$83 (+6%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 18.8 mi | $1,190 | $-217 (-15%) |
| Brunswick, ME | 26.4 mi | $1,260 | $-147 (-10%) |
| Auburn, ME | 28.7 mi | $890 | $-517 (-37%) |
| Lewiston, ME | 29.9 mi | $890 | $-517 (-37%) |
| Bath, ME | 34.8 mi | $980 | $-427 (-30%) |
Studio rent in Portland — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Portland?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Portland, Maine is $1,407 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $2,399.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Portland?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,280 ($4,690/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.06/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portland expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Portland's studio median of $1,407 is +9% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 59th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portland rank for studio rent in Maine?
Among the 20 cities in Maine with studio data, Portland ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Portland?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Old Orchard Beach ($1,190), Gorham ($1,280), Saco ($1,340).