Portland Metro Sustains 50% Home Price Premium Over The Rest Of Maine

Active listings jumped 33% year-over-year to 974 homes while 40% of sellers cut prices, yet Portland’s $639,900 median maintains a 50.6% premium over the $425,000 state median, signaling persistent buyer demand for Maine’s largest metro even as negotiating power shifts.

The Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metro recorded 118 absorbed properties during the week ending Dec. 5, 2025, down 4% from 123 a year earlier. New listings totaled 44 homes for the week, contributing to a months of supply measure of 2.0, which keeps the market in seller-favorable territory despite the inventory buildup.

Inventory builds while absorption holds steady

Portland’s active single-family inventory reached 974 homes, marking a 33% increase from 731 properties in December 2024. The surge hasn’t dampened market velocity, with homes taking a median 70 days to sell, still 14 days faster than the national median of 84 days and seven days quicker than Maine’s statewide figure of 77 days.

Weekly absorption of 118 homes demonstrates ongoing demand even as buyers gain more options. The 2.0 months of supply remains well below the 3.0 national average, maintaining seller-favorable conditions throughout the metro. Meanwhile, 6% of active listings represent relisted properties, indicating most sellers find success without needing to reset their marketing approach.

Price adjustments reveal market segmentation

While Portland’s $639,900 median list price dipped 1.6% from $650,000 year-over-year, the metro commands substantial premiums across key metrics. At $356 per square foot, Portland properties cost 40% more than Maine’s $255 average and 70% above the $210 national figure.

The 40% share of listings with price reductions points to seller recalibration rather than broad weakness. Only 1.4% of properties increased prices during the week, suggesting most sellers recognize the need to meet shifting buyer expectations. This adjustment phase hasn’t eroded Portland’s position as Maine’s premium market.

What to watch

Track the 33% inventory growth rate to gauge whether supply continues expanding into 2026. Monitor the 40% price-cut percentage as a barometer for seller flexibility. Use the 70-day median days on market to advise clients on realistic selling timelines. Watch whether the $639,900 median holds its 51% premium over state levels as more inventory enters the market.

Leverage Portland’s 2.0 months of supply when counseling buyers about competition levels. Share the 118 weekly absorption figure to demonstrate ongoing demand despite increased choices. Advise sellers to price competitively given that 40% of their competition has already reduced asking prices.

HousingWire used HW Data to source this story. To see what’s happening in your own local market, generate housing market reports. For enterprise clients looking to license the same market data at a larger scale, visit HW Data.