Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Portland, ME
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Portland are East Bayside-India Street, Parkside, and West Portland. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Portland, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of March 14, 2026, the average rent in Portland is $1,843, which is 1.7% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.
East Bayside-India Street
Average Rent
$2,015/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.5%
TransitScore® Rating
49/100
Units Available
23 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Portland neighborhood on a budget, check out East Bayside-India Street. The average rent is $2,015, compared to the city average of $1,843. Rent prices have decreased by 1.5%. East Bayside-India Street is convenient to Univ. Southern Maine,Portland, Hannaford Plaza, and Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 96.
Parkside
Average Rent
$2,137/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.5%
TransitScore® Rating
52/100
Units Available
17 Rentals
Parkside is an affordable neighborhood in Portland with an average rent price of $2,137. Compare this to the city average of $1,843. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.5%. Parkside provides easy access to University of New England, Univ. Southern Maine,Portland, and Portland Observatory. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 93.
West Portland
Average Rent
$2,192/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
6.1%
TransitScore® Rating
43/100
Units Available
39 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Portland, West Portland might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,192, while the city’s average stands at $1,843. In the last year, prices have increased by 6.1%. West Portland is near Brighton Avenue Plaza, St. Joseph's College of Maine, and Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.
West End
Average Rent
$2,217/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.7%
TransitScore® Rating
50/100
Units Available
30 Rentals
West End is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in West End is $2,217 while the city average is $1,843. This is a 2.7% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Hannaford Plaza, Southworth Planetarium, and Century Plaza. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 92.
Downtown Portland
Average Rent
$2,366/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.7%
TransitScore® Rating
50/100
Units Available
115 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Portland neighborhood on a budget, check out Downtown Portland. The average rent is $2,366, compared to the city average of $1,843. Rent prices have increased by 1.7%. Downtown Portland is convenient to Portland International Jetport, Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, and Hannaford Plaza. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 95.
West Bayside
Average Rent
$2,381/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.4%
TransitScore® Rating
49/100
Units Available
51 Rentals
West Bayside is an affordable neighborhood in Portland with an average rent price of $2,381. Compare this to the city average of $1,843. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 1.4%. West Bayside provides easy access to Portland International Jetport, Hannaford Plaza, and Southern Maine Comm. Coll.. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 94.
City Center
Average Rent
$2,390/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.2%
TransitScore® Rating
53/100
Units Available
49 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Portland, City Center might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,390, while the city’s average stands at $1,843. In the last year, prices have increased by 2.2%. City Center is near Univ. Southern Maine, Gorham, Southworth Planetarium, and University of New England.
Arts District
Average Rent
$2,575/Month
TransitScore® Rating
53/100
Units Available
70 Rentals
Arts District is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Arts District is $2,575 while the city average is $1,843. Residents enjoy convenient access to Century Plaza, Portland International Jetport, and Southworth Planetarium. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 99.
Old Port
Average Rent
$2,578/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.9%
TransitScore® Rating
53/100
Units Available
27 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Portland neighborhood on a budget, check out Old Port. The average rent is $2,578, compared to the city average of $1,843. Rent prices have decreased by 1.9%. Old Port is convenient to University of New England, East End Beach and Eastern Prom Trail, and Congress Plaza. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 99.
Old Port District
Average Rent
$2,578/Month
TransitScore® Rating
53/100
Units Available
27 Rentals
Old Port District is an affordable neighborhood in Portland with an average rent price of $2,578. Compare this to the city average of $1,843. Old Port District provides easy access to Portland Observatory, Portland International Jetport, and Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 99.
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Methodology
Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.
We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.