Section 8 rent in Portland, ME

Q: What is a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR)?

SAFMRs are HUD fair market rents published at the ZIP code level rather than one rate per metro area. Housing choice voucher payment standards in this market are based on these ZIP-level rates.

FY2025 HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents for the Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area, covering 47 ZIP codes.

$2,051Avg 2BR FMR / mo

$2,256Avg 2BR at 110% Standard

47ZIP Codes

Fair market rent by bedroom count

Base SAFMR across all ZIP codes in this market. Housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates.

Bedrooms	Lowest ZIP	Average	Highest ZIP	Avg 110% Standard
Studio	$1,190	$1,404	$2,070	$1,544
1 Bedroom	$1,370	$1,595	$2,350	$1,755
2 Bedrooms	$1,760	$2,051	$3,020	$2,256
3 Bedrooms	$2,180	$2,525	$3,700	$2,777
4 Bedrooms	$2,470	$2,840	$4,150	$3,124

Small multifamily Section 8 income

Estimated gross monthly and annual rent for 2-to-4 unit properties, assuming every unit is rented to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent. Small multifamily is a favorite for long-term buy-and-hold investors stacking stable voucher income across multiple doors.

Property Type	Unit Mix	Gross Monthly Rent	Gross Annual Rent
Duplex	2 × 2BR	$4,102	$49,224
Triplex	3 × 2BR	$6,153	$73,836
Fourplex	4 × 2BR	$8,204	$98,448
Fourplex	4 × 3BR	$10,100	$121,200

Gross scheduled rent before vacancy, maintenance and management. Run any Maine multifamily listing through RealG to model it against real operating costs, or try the rental property calculator.

Highest-paying ZIP codes

Top 15 of 47 ZIP codes in this market, ranked by 2-bedroom SAFMR.

ZIP Code	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
04050	$2,350	$3,020	$3,700	$4,150
04019	$2,180	$2,810	$3,430	$3,850
04107	$2,150	$2,760	$3,380	$3,790
04105	$2,140	$2,750	$3,370	$3,780
04017	$2,080	$2,680	$3,280	$3,680
04110	$1,880	$2,420	$2,970	$3,330
04096	$1,800	$2,320	$2,840	$3,190
04074	$1,800	$2,310	$2,830	$3,170
04106	$1,760	$2,260	$2,770	$3,100
04109	$1,740	$2,230	$2,730	$3,070
04032	$1,690	$2,180	$2,670	$3,000
04102	$1,650	$2,120	$2,600	$2,910
04085	$1,620	$2,090	$2,560	$2,870
04097	$1,620	$2,090	$2,560	$2,870
04021	$1,590	$2,050	$2,510	$2,820

Quick cash flow check

Free Tool

Estimate monthly cash flow renting to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent.

Purchase price Down payment % Interest rate % Bedrooms

Section 8 rent (avg FMR)—

Est. mortgage payment (PITI)—

Est. monthly cash flow—

30-year fixed. Taxes and insurance estimated at 1.5% and 0.5% of price per year. Before vacancy, maintenance and management. For a full itemized analysis, run this market in RealG.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in Portland, ME?

For FY2025, the average 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent in the Portland, ME HUD Metro FMR Area is $2,051 per month, ranging from $1,760 to $3,020 depending on ZIP code. Local housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates, so the average 2-bedroom payment standard can reach $2,256.

What is a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR)?

SAFMRs are fair market rents that HUD publishes at the ZIP code level instead of one rate for a whole metro area. They reflect what modest rental housing actually costs in each ZIP, which means higher payment standards in more expensive neighborhoods. Housing choice voucher payments in this market are based on these rates.

Why do rents vary so much between ZIP codes here?

In Portland, ME, 2-bedroom SAFMRs run from $1,760 to $3,020 per month. HUD sets each ZIP's rate from local rent data, so neighborhoods with stronger rental markets get higher voucher payment standards. For investors, the spread matters: the same house price can produce very different Section 8 rents a few ZIP codes apart.

How do I find Section 8 investment properties in Maine?

RealG searches live listings across Maine, runs Section 8 numbers on every property using these HUD rates, and grades each deal A through D against your buying criteria. You can start free with no credit card and see graded deals in this market in minutes.

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