Cost of Living in Maine

Maine has a cost of living index of 87, making it 13% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $64,613 (14% below the US median of $75,149). Across 145 cities tracked in Maine, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Maine cities is $976/mo (26% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $249,824 (18% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 63-point spread between the most affordable city, Caribou (index 66), and the most expensive, Yarmouth (index 129) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Maine, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Maine by population are Portland (index 119, pop. 68,505), Lewiston (index 82, pop. 37,886), Bangor (index 80, pop. 31,663), South Portland (index 120, pop. 26,780), and Auburn (index 86, pop. 24,294). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.