South Portland
Investment Analysis

South Portland, ME
Housing Market Screening

City-level home-price and one-bedroom-rent references with transparent methodology and limitations.

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City-level screening

37.9x

Home price / annualized 1BR rent

Gross annual 1BR-rent reference
2.6%
Recorded YoY field
-0.0%

Not cap rate, ROI, valuation or buy-versus-rent advice. City fields may reflect different source years.

Median Home Price
$518,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,139/mo
Median Income
$84,563
Population
26,780

Housing Screening Context

South Portland has a computed screening multiple of 37.9x and a gross annual 1BR-rent reference of 2.6%.

These values compare separate city-level fields, not one matched property. They exclude financing, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, transaction costs and tenure horizon.

Recorded year-over-year price change: -0.0%. Source period and forecast assumptions should be reviewed before scenario use.

Read the transparent methodology or open the Housing Research Hub.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,139
Annual Gross $13,668

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$648
Insurance (~0.5%) -$216
Maintenance (~1%) -$432
Est. Net Cash Flow -$156/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ South Portland Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$530K2027$574Kโ–ฒ 8.3%2028$598Kโ–ฒ 12.7%20232024Now
$628K$476K
Current
$518K
2026
Projected
$574K
โ†‘ 8.3% by 2027
Projected
$598K
โ†‘ 12.7% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+5.2%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.84
โ–ผ

Looking ahead to the 2026-2028 period, the South Portland housing market forecast suggests a period of stabilization rather than the rapid appreciation seen in the previous five years. With a median home price of $494,877 and a price-to-rent ratio of 32.2x, the market is significantly stretched relative to the national average of 18x. This imbalance points to affordability headwinds that will likely temper buyer demand. While the 5-year price change of 42.1% highlights strong historical gains, the recent YoY price change has slowed to just 1.2%, signaling a cooling trajectory.

When asking, will South Portland home prices drop? The data suggests a plateau is more probable than a sharp correction. The market temperature of 60/100 and a low Days on Market of 35 indicate that demand remains, but it is becoming more selective. The local economy, anchored by the port, healthcare, and proximity to Portland's amenities, provides a stable foundation, yet affordability constraints are a growing concern. For those analyzing South Portland real estate South Portland 2027, the key will be watching inventory levels and wage growth. The "RENT" verdict is driven by the high price-to-rent ratio, making buying less financially attractive in the short term compared to leasing.

Ultimately, the forecast for this coastal city is one of moderated growth. The strong 5-year CAGR of 7.2% is unlikely to be sustained given current affordability limits and a risk grade of A suggests stability but not high volatility. While the market won't crash, the era of double-digit annual gains appears over. Potential buyers should be prepared for a more balanced negotiation environment, while the rental market may see increased demand as purchasing power diminishes. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic, grounded in local economic fundamentals but tempered by valuation concerns.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
1.5%
5yr CAGR
+5.2%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.0%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.2%

Healthcare

80
Score
Excellent

Risk Factors

Low Inventory
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-05-31
Sale-to-List 98.7%
Months Supply 1.3
Price Drops 16%
Gone in 2 Wks 59%

Market Position

Affordability Average
Safety Very Safe

ROI Projector Model an editable scenario

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for South Portland.

Total ROI
-163%
on $103,600 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$168,790
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$2,915
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y1108kY2112kY3117kY4122kY5128k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$168,790
Final Equity
$127,885

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Scenario Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Cash-Flow Scenario

Pre-filled for South Portland

Property

Purchase Price$518,000
Monthly Rent$1,139
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$2,612
Modeled Monthly Cash Flow
-$31,343/ year
-30.3%
Cash-on-Cash
0.0%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,139
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$2,619
โˆ’ Property Tax$518
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$432
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$57
= Net Cash Flow-$2,612

Scenario Summary

Down Payment
$103,600
Loan Amount
$414,400
Total Monthly Expenses
$3,751
Gross Yield
2.6%

Investor Toolkit

Research South Portland before you invest

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: July 2026