Portland, Maine is quickly becoming home for many Mainers and out-of-staters alike. “The Forest City” is home to 68,300 people and is recognized by its picturesque waterfront, a thriving culinary scene showcasing fresh seafood, and the vibrant arts community exemplified by the Portland Museum of Art. If you’re looking to buy a home in Portland, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $559,000. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average rent in Portland is $2,358.
Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best affordable Portland, Maine suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 27 mile drive from the city. That way you can live close to Portland and all its cool activities without the price tag of owning a home there.
#1: Old Orchard Beach
Median home price: $346,500
Average sale price per square foot: $352
Average rent for an apartment: $2,394
Distance from Portland: 20 miles
Old Orchard Beach, ME homes for sale
Old Orchard Beach, ME apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $346,500, Old Orchard Beach comes in at number one on our list of most affordable Portland, Maine suburbs. About a 20 mile drive away from downtown Portland, Old Orchard Beach is home to roughly 8,900 people. Living in Old Orchard Beach, you can have a beach day at Old Orchard Beach and see the iconic Old Orchard Beach Pier, known for its entertainment, shops, and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean, take a historic walking tour, which highlights Old Orchard Beach’s notable landmarks, or go camping at one of the campgrounds in town.
#2: Standish
Median home price: $347,500
Average sale price per square foot: $234
Distance from Portland: 21 miles
Standish, ME homes for sale
Standish, ME apartments for rent
Coming in as the second most affordable suburb in Portland is Standish. About a 21 mile drive away from downtown Portland, you can explore the Old Port District and the Eastern Promenade in no time. Some popular things to check out in Standish include spending the day at Sebago Lake, from visiting the Sebago Lake Scenic Overlook, checking out Harmon’s Beach, to hiking along the trails, and exploring the nearby Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area.
#3: Westbrook
Median home price: $373,000
Average sale price per square foot: $265
Average rent for an apartment: $2,481
Distance from Portland: 7 miles
Westbrook, ME homes for sale
Westbrook, ME apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $373,000, Westbrook takes the third spot on our list. There are plenty of picturesque and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Westbrook. Make sure to check out the shops, cafes, and riverfront restaurants in downtown Westbrook, take in the views at Riverbank Park, and explore the trails at Mill Brook Preserve if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: North Windham
Median home price: $393,000
Average sale price per square foot: $242
Distance from Portland: 16 miles
North Windham, ME homes for sale
North Windham, ME apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Westbrook is none other than North Windham. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Portland suburb. So make sure to explore parks like Donnabeth Lippman Park.
#5: Gorham
Median home price: $447,500
Average sale price per square foot: $313
Distance from Portland: 11 miles
Gorham, ME homes for sale
Gorham, ME apartments for rent
About an 11 mile drive into the city, consider adding Gorham to your list of Portland, Maine suburbs to consider moving to. With 18,300 people living in this affordable town, Gorham is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Portland without paying the premium for a home in the city. In Gorham, you can check out the University of Southern Maine campus and downtown area or explore the picturesque Shaw Park.
#6: Saco
Median home price: $475,000
Average sale price per square foot: $285
Average rent for an apartment: $2,433
Distance from Portland: 17 miles
Saco, ME homes for sale
Saco, ME apartments for rent
A recognizable Portland suburb is Saco, where you’ll find the home prices are about $85K less than in Portland. With just about 20,400 people living in Saco, it’s a great suburb to consider moving to. Whether you explore one of the many nature areas like Ferry Beach State Park or Saco Heath Preserve, have a beach day at Camp Ellis Beach or Ferry Beach, or grab a coffee at a local café, there’s many cool things to do and see in this suburb.
#7: Biddeford
Median home price: $500,000
Average sale price per square foot: $285
Average rent for an apartment: $1,882
Distance from Portland: 18 miles
Biddeford, ME homes for sale
Biddeford, ME apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Portland suburbs is Biddeford, which is roughly an 18 mile drive into downtown. With a population of nearly 22,500, living in Biddeford is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Portland. Don’t miss out on hiking Timber Point Trail out to the picturesque Timber Point, checking out Fortune Rocks Beach, and exploring the quaint downtown area where there are lots of cafes and shops.
#8: Kennebunk
Median home price: $512,750
Average sale price per square foot: $311
Distance from Portland: 27 miles
Kennebunk, ME homes for sale
Kennebunk, ME apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Portland for a while, chances are you know of Kennebunk. About 11,500 people reside in Kennebunk, so you’ll have a fraction of Portland’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Be sure to check out the Kennebunk Plains Preserve, visit the downtown area with quaint shops, museums like the Brick Store Museum, and local restaurants, and spend the afternoon at the beach once you move to Kennebunk.
#9: Scarborough
Median home price: $530,000
Average sale price per square foot: $323
Distance from Portland: 8 miles
Scarborough, ME homes for sale
Scarborough, ME apartments for rent
Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Portland in about 10 minutes, making Scarborough a great place to live in. About 5,800 people live in this suburb, but there’s always something new to explore in Scarborough. Popular things to do in Scarborough include exploring Scarborough Beach State Park, checking out the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, and hiking one of the many trails throughout the area.
#10: South Portland
Median home price: $540,000
Average sale price per square foot: $360
Average rent for an apartment: $1,935
Distance from Portland: 3 miles
South Portland, ME homes for sale
South Portland, ME apartments for rent
Claiming the 10th spot on our list of affordable suburbs of Portland, Maine is South Portland. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Portland in under 10 minutes. This suburb has a population of 26,500 and you can check out Willard Beach and the nearby Fort Preble, or take in the views from Bug Light Park. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in this charming town.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Portland and under a 27-mile drive from downtown Portland. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
