Quick answer: The cost of living in Maine depends heavily on where you live. Portland and the southern coast tend to cost the most, Bangor and central Maine are noticeably cheaper, and rural Maine is cheapest. Different cost-of-living indexes give different numbers, so use them to compare places rather than as exact budgets.

For the lifestyle side of the numbers, see living in Maine.

Maine Cost of Living Overview

Maine’s cost of living runs about 12% above the national average overall, but that number masks enormous variation across the state. Portland is 22.8% above the national average. Bangor is just 3.1% above. Rural Maine can be significantly cheaper than either. The average annual cost of living in Maine is approximately $63,000 per year per person. Despite being above the national average, Maine is the least expensive state in New England — Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire (for housing) all cost more.

Cost of Living by City

Portland

Portland is Maine’s most expensive city at 22.8% above the national average. The median home value reached $566,265 in June 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,350–$1,600 per month. The Old Port and East End neighborhoods command the highest prices; East Bayside and Parkside are more affordable. Portland has Maine’s strongest job market and most vibrant dining and arts scene — which is why people keep moving there despite the cost.

Bangor

Bangor is Maine’s most affordable major city at just 3.1% above the national average. Median home value is $287,370. A one-bedroom apartment runs $900–$1,100 per month. For remote workers and retirees, Bangor offers the best combination of amenities and affordability in the state.

Augusta

Maine’s capital sits at 11.9% above the national average. Median home value is around $283,000. State government is the dominant employer. More affordable than Portland but with fewer dining and entertainment options.

Lewiston and Auburn

The twin cities run about 21.8% above the national average — similar to Portland but with lower home values. Median home value in Lewiston is around $303,000. Lewiston has the highest mill rate in the state (around 27 per $1,000), which affects the real cost of homeownership.

Biddeford and Saco

Southern Maine’s fastest-growing area sits at 22.3% above the national average. Biddeford has transformed dramatically, with mill buildings converted to apartments and creative businesses. Proximity to beaches and Portland keeps demand — and prices — high.

Rural Maine

Small towns across Maine can be 15–25% below Portland’s cost of living. Housing in Presque Isle, Houlton, and similar communities can be found for $150,000–$250,000. The trade-offs are limited job opportunities and higher heating costs — heating oil in rural Maine can run $2,500–$4,000 per year.

Key Monthly Costs

Rent, one-bedroom: $900 (Bangor) to $1,500 (Portland)
Electricity: approximately $140/month
Heating (oil/gas): varies widely; $200–$400/month in winter
Internet: $80–$100/month
Water and sewer: approximately $116/month
Groceries: approximately $400/person/month
Transportation: approximately $428/month for a single person
Healthcare: approximately $327/month

Why Maine Costs What It Does

Maine’s above-average costs come from a few specific factors: heating costs in winter are among the highest in the country; electricity rates run about 15 cents per kWh above the national average; the housing shortage that hit the whole country hit Maine particularly hard from 2020–2024; and property taxes fund local services in a state without many large corporate taxpayers.

Where Maine Is Actually Affordable

Compared to Boston, Burlington, or Hartford, Maine is a bargain. No sales tax on groceries or most clothing. Property taxes are below the New England average as a percentage of home value. And the cost of outdoor recreation — hiking, skiing, kayaking, fishing — is essentially zero once you’re here. For a full breakdown of Maine income tax rates and what you’ll owe, see our Maine Income Tax Guide.

Related: See Maine home prices by county, updated monthly from the Maine Association of REALTORS® report.

Why Cost of Living Numbers Differ

You will see very different figures for Maine depending on the source. Some indexes compare a place with the national average, some add up a typical household’s yearly spending, and others look at a single city. Housing carries the most weight in all of them, and the data is collected at different times. The most useful comparison is to look at one source across several towns, which is what the city sections above do.

More on the Cost of Living in Maine

Moving here for the winter? See our first Maine winter checklist.

Comparing places? See all of Maine’s 23 cities, with populations and the towns that are bigger than many of them.

Thinking of buying? Read our step-by-step guide to buying a house in Maine.

Cost of Living in Maine by City: Portland, Bangor and Rural Maine