Maine Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 16 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$969/mo
Average Home Value
$236,581
Average Owner Cost
$1,061/mo
County cost atlas
Maine housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
16
Avg rent
$969/mo
Owner cost
$1,061/mo
Avg score
36.8
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in Maine: An Overview
The median rent in Maine is $969 per month, which is 17% below the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within Maine, housing costs vary significantly by county. Cumberland County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,492 per month and a median home value of $411,400. Aroostook County has the lowest reported median rent at $736 per month and a median home value of $131,700.
The average home value across Maine counties is $236,581, 16% lower than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $66,872, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in Maine, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Maine
How median rents are spread across 16 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All Maine Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | Moderate$1,492/mo | $411,400 | $1,609/mo | 6.7 | 29.0% |
| York County | Moderate$1,239/mo | $357,200 | $1,470/mo | 11.7 | 28.0% |
| Knox County | Moderate$1,079/mo | $290,800 | $1,246/mo | 19.1 | 30.0% |
| Sagadahoc County | Moderate$1,050/mo | $300,200 | $1,437/mo | 17.2 | 30.0% |
| Lincoln County | Moderate$1,003/mo | $306,200 | $1,128/mo | 24.9 | 26.0% |
| Hancock County | Moderate$1,000/mo | $278,400 | $1,068/mo | 27.1 | 30.0% |
| Penobscot County | Affordable$997/mo | $193,800 | $968/mo | 31.2 | 29.0% |
| Waldo County | Affordable$969/mo | $239,100 | $1,022/mo | 30.6 | 28.0% |
| Androscoggin County | Affordable$966/mo | $232,000 | $1,268/mo | 23.9 | 28.0% |
| Kennebec County | Affordable$952/mo | $219,900 | $1,073/mo | 30.1 | 29.0% |
| Somerset County | Affordable$887/mo | $155,200 | $782/mo | 50.4 | 26.0% |
| Oxford County | Affordable$807/mo | $192,300 | $875/mo | 52.2 | 31.0% |
| Piscataquis County | Affordable$807/mo | $153,300 | $738/mo | 62.3 | 26.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$768/mo | $147,100 | $724/mo | 68.7 | 31.0% |
| Franklin County | Affordable$759/mo | $176,700 | $811/mo | 63.4 | 28.0% |
| Aroostook County | Affordable$736/mo | $131,700 | $762/mo | 69.0 | 28.0% |
Compare Maine to Other States
See how Maine counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Maine Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Maine?
What is the most expensive county to live in Maine?
How does Maine's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Maine?
Planning a Move?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.