Maine Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 16 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,020/mo
Average Home Value
$260,725
Average Owner Cost
$1,079/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
$1,020/mo
Owner cost
$1,079/mo
Avg score
36.2
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 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 unweighted mean of county median rents in Maine is $1,020 per month, which is 28% below the national ACS median of $1,413. This gives every county equal weight and is not an official statewide median.
Within Maine, housing costs vary significantly by county. Cumberland County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,589 per month and a median home value of $451,200. Washington County has the lowest reported median rent at $783 per month and a median home value of $161,800.
The unweighted mean of county median home values in Maine is $260,725, 22% lower than the national ACS median of $332,700. The unweighted mean of county median household incomes is $70,170; neither figure is a household-weighted statewide estimate.
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 | Over $1,500$1,589/mo | $451,200 | $1,639/mo | 6.9 | 30.0% |
| York County | $1,000–$1,500$1,339/mo | $395,700 | $1,520/mo | 10.8 | 27.7% |
| Knox County | $1,000–$1,500$1,165/mo | $324,900 | $1,211/mo | 19.3 | 30.0% |
| Sagadahoc County | $1,000–$1,500$1,098/mo | $333,300 | $1,433/mo | 17.6 | 29.1% |
| Hancock County | $1,000–$1,500$1,061/mo | $310,400 | $1,113/mo | 25.6 | 30.4% |
| Lincoln County | $1,000–$1,500$1,055/mo | $332,700 | $1,158/mo | 24.3 | 25.6% |
| Penobscot County | $1,000–$1,500$1,041/mo | $214,100 | $995/mo | 31.0 | 30.2% |
| Waldo County | $1,000–$1,500$1,021/mo | $257,700 | $1,049/mo | 29.7 | 27.6% |
| Androscoggin County | $1,000–$1,500$1,010/mo | $252,800 | $1,249/mo | 24.3 | 30.7% |
| Kennebec County | Under $1,000$992/mo | $238,200 | $1,089/mo | 29.7 | 29.6% |
| Somerset County | Under $1,000$910/mo | $166,900 | $807/mo | 50.5 | 27.6% |
| Piscataquis County | Under $1,000$837/mo | $170,200 | $737/mo | 62.8 | 26.1% |
| Oxford County | Under $1,000$836/mo | $217,300 | $930/mo | 49.8 | 31.5% |
| Franklin County | Under $1,000$802/mo | $194,700 | $817/mo | 60.8 | 27.8% |
| Aroostook County | Under $1,000$784/mo | $149,700 | $782/mo | 65.8 | 28.7% |
| Washington County | Under $1,000$783/mo | $161,800 | $727/mo | 70.0 | 30.8% |
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
Which Maine county has the lowest median rent?
Which Maine county has the highest median rent?
How does Maine's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the unweighted county-mean 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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.