Cost of Living in Maine
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 155 cities in ME. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Maine is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Maine, with comparisons to national averages.
Maine's average home value of $246,253 is 1% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $60,445, and average monthly rent is $841.
Most Affordable Cities in Maine
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caribou | $120,300 | $696/mo | $54,271 | 7,427 |
| 2 | Skowhegan | $138,600 | $856/mo | $46,625 | 6,638 |
| 3 | Presque Isle | $142,400 | $875/mo | $57,396 | 8,736 |
| 4 | Waterville | $173,700 | $957/mo | $47,489 | 16,704 |
| 5 | Old Town | $183,200 | $1,014/mo | $49,329 | 7,439 |
| 6 | Augusta | $188,900 | $887/mo | $48,756 | 18,999 |
| 7 | Gardiner | $198,100 | $927/mo | $58,152 | 6,047 |
| 8 | Winslow | $200,100 | $953/mo | $56,506 | 5,701 |
| 9 | Bangor | $206,300 | $1,019/mo | $58,096 | 31,663 |
| 10 | Lewiston | $214,200 | $954/mo | $56,558 | 37,886 |
| 11 | Ellsworth | $214,500 | $955/mo | $70,990 | 8,550 |
| 12 | Brewer | $218,100 | $984/mo | $51,490 | 9,654 |
| 13 | Orono | $219,200 | $1,150/mo | $56,890 | 10,699 |
| 14 | Rockland | $234,400 | $986/mo | $55,276 | 6,991 |
| 15 | Auburn | $254,600 | $983/mo | $66,552 | 24,294 |
Most Expensive Cities in Maine
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yarmouth | $506,300 | $1,694/mo | $92,311 | 6,293 |
| 2 | Gorham | $459,000 | $1,518/mo | $125,058 | 7,365 |
| 3 | Portland | $452,600 | $1,487/mo | $76,174 | 68,505 |
| 4 | Kennebunk | $429,600 | $1,411/mo | $93,167 | 6,008 |
| 5 | Kittery | $421,400 | $1,431/mo | $71,574 | 5,284 |
| 6 | South Portland | $405,800 | $1,648/mo | $84,563 | 26,780 |
| 7 | Oak Hill | $404,600 | $1,618/mo | $92,967 | 5,365 |
| 8 | Saco | $370,300 | $1,268/mo | $84,328 | 20,636 |
| 9 | Biddeford | $349,300 | $1,187/mo | $69,794 | 22,463 |
| 10 | Westbrook | $341,800 | $1,373/mo | $85,868 | 20,484 |
Highest Income Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gorham | $125,058 | $459,000 | 7,365 |
| 2 | Kennebunk | $93,167 | $429,600 | 6,008 |
| 3 | Oak Hill | $92,967 | $404,600 | 5,365 |
| 4 | Yarmouth | $92,311 | $506,300 | 6,293 |
| 5 | North Windham | $86,972 | $309,900 | 5,633 |
| 6 | Westbrook | $85,868 | $341,800 | 20,484 |
| 7 | South Portland | $84,563 | $405,800 | 26,780 |
| 8 | Saco | $84,328 | $370,300 | 20,636 |
| 9 | Topsham | $80,545 | $341,800 | 6,962 |
| 10 | Portland | $76,174 | $452,600 | 68,505 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Maine
What is the average cost of living in Maine?
The average median home value across Maine cities is $246,253, with average rent of $841/month. The average median household income is $60,445.
What are the cheapest cities in Maine?
The most affordable cities in Maine by home value include Caribou ($120,300), Skowhegan ($138,600), Presque Isle ($142,400).
What is the most expensive city in Maine?
The most expensive city in Maine is Yarmouth with a median home value of $506,300.
How does Maine compare to the national average?
Maine's average home value of $246,253 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $841/month is below the US average of $1,163.