Maine Cost of Living Overview (2026)
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 (2026)
- 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.