Out-of Towner Shocked by How Expensive Parking is in Portland, Maine

For residents and commuters who work in Portland, Maine, they already know the pain that is the astronomical price of parking spaces within the city limits. In terms of inflation, rent is likely only ahead of parking when it comes to wild and unfathomable price hikes.

The reality of parking in Portland hit one recent visitor hard. Shared on Reddit by Sufficient-opposite3, they were stunned to discover what some lots are charging for 24 hours of parking.

Their complaint isn't something new or unheard of. Just five years ago, two of Portland's busiest parking garages were charging $2.50 per hour and capping their 24-hour charge at between $30 and $40.

Those same garages have more nearly doubled their hourly rate, and their 24-hour rate now stands at $50. Monthly rates have skyrocketed as well, with some garages approaching or exceeding $200 per month for access.

While the City of Portland has been habitually raising the price of parking meters within the city (while crushing commuters with a parade of perpetual construction projects), Portland has been slow to raise the rates of city-owned garages. City-owned garages typically have the cheapest hourly rates at around at $4 per hour. City-owned garages also cap their daily max at $28.

There does remain a divide in opinion on whether parking in Portland is really that expensive. Visitors from other major cities in New England don't incur sticker shock, as parking prices in places like Boston and Cape Cod are more expensive than Portland. But for residents who live in any other town or city in Maine, the prices seem extreme and out of touch.

Unfortunately, the price of parking is unlikely to ever come down. In fact, as Portland continues to build and invite more visitors to the city, the price is only going up.