Studio Apartment Rent in South Portland, ME
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in South Portland, Maine as of July 2026. That's +39% lower than the citywide median of $2,533 and +20% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in South 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 South Portland
Compare South Portland's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maine
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presque Isle | $780 |
| 2 | Rockland | $810 |
| 3 | Augusta | $860 |
| 4 | Auburn | $890 |
| 5 | Lewiston | $890 |
| 6 | Bath | $980 |
| 7 | Bangor | $1,010 |
| 8 | Old Town | $1,030 |
| 9 | Waterville | $1,063 |
| 10 | Sanford | $1,070 |
| 11 | Orono | $1,120 |
| 12 | Biddeford | $1,190 |
| 13 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,190 |
| 14 | Brunswick | $1,260 |
| 15 | Gorham | $1,280 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maine
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falmouth | $1,890 |
| 2 | Cape Elizabeth | $1,890 |
| 3 | Yarmouth | $1,590 |
| 4 | Scarborough | $1,580 |
| 5 | South Portland (this page) | $1,550 |
| 6 | Freeport | $1,490 |
| 7 | Kittery | $1,410 |
| 8 | Portland | $1,407 |
| 9 | Saco | $1,340 |
| 10 | Gorham | $1,280 |
| 11 | Brunswick | $1,260 |
| 12 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,190 |
| 13 | Biddeford | $1,190 |
| 14 | Orono | $1,120 |
| 15 | Sanford | $1,070 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than South Portland.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs South Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 2.7 mi | $1,407 | $-143 (-9%) |
| Cape Elizabeth, ME | 4.6 mi | $1,890 | +$340 (+22%) |
| Scarborough, ME | 6.2 mi | $1,580 | +$30 (+2%) |
| Falmouth, ME | 7.6 mi | $1,890 | +$340 (+22%) |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 10.2 mi | $1,190 | $-360 (-23%) |
| Gorham, ME | 13.2 mi | $1,280 | $-270 (-17%) |
| Saco, ME | 13.6 mi | $1,340 | $-210 (-14%) |
| Yarmouth, ME | 14 mi | $1,590 | +$40 (+3%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 16.9 mi | $1,190 | $-360 (-23%) |
| Freeport, ME | 20 mi | $1,490 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Brunswick, ME | 28.3 mi | $1,260 | $-290 (-19%) |
| Auburn, ME | 31.4 mi | $890 | $-660 (-43%) |
Studio rent in South Portland — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in South Portland?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in South Portland, Maine is $1,550 per month. This is +39% below the citywide median of $2,533.
What income do you need to afford a studio in South Portland?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,000 ($5,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is South Portland expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
South Portland's studio median of $1,550 is +20% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 68th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does South Portland rank for studio rent in Maine?
Among the 24 cities in Maine with studio data, South Portland ranks #20 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near South Portland?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Portland ($1,407), Old Orchard Beach ($1,190), Gorham ($1,280).