Maine Property Tax Rates by Town (2026)

How Maine Property Taxes Work

Maine property taxes are set at the local level — every city and town sets its own mill rate. There is no statewide property tax. The mill rate is expressed as dollars per $1,000 of assessed value. The formula: Assessed Value × Mill Rate ÷ 1,000 = Annual Tax Bill Example: A home assessed at $300,000 with a mill rate of 14 owes $4,200 per year. Maine requires municipalities to assess properties at 70% to 110% of market value. Many towns that haven’t revalued recently assess below market value, pushing mill rates higher to compensate — which is why comparing mill rates across towns without knowing the assessment ratio can be misleading.

Mill Rates by Region (2025–2026)

Mill rates across Maine typically range from 10 to 25 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Southern Maine

  • Portland — 11.98 (after 2025 revaluation; assessed values rose 43%)
  • Ogunquit — ~5.80 (very high home values)
  • York — ~10.20
  • Kennebunk — ~13.20
  • Biddeford — ~15.40
  • Saco — ~14.90
  • Old Orchard Beach — ~14.20

Midcoast Maine

  • Harpswell — 4.84 (after 2026 revaluation)
  • Camden — ~11.40
  • Freeport — ~13.60
  • Brunswick — ~16.80
  • Rockland — ~18.50
  • Belfast — ~19.20

Bangor Area / Central Maine

  • Bangor — ~22.50
  • Augusta — ~21.80
  • Waterville — ~22.40
  • Lewiston — ~27.30 (older assessments)
  • Auburn — ~24.80

Northern Maine

  • Presque Isle — ~21.50
  • Caribou — ~24.00
  • Houlton — ~23.50
  • Greenville — ~14.20
Note: Mill rates change annually. Always verify with your town assessor before making a purchasing decision. Maine Revenue Services publishes equalized full-value tax rates for accurate town-to-town comparison.

Maine Property Tax Exemptions

Homestead Exemption

Reduces your assessed value by $25,000 for your primary residence. At a mill rate of 15, this saves $375 per year. Apply with your local assessor by April 1. You must have owned the home for at least 12 months.

Property Tax Fairness Credit

A refundable income tax credit of up to $1,500 for lower-income homeowners (or $1,000 for renters) where property taxes exceed a threshold of household income. Claimed on Maine Form 1040ME.

Veterans Exemption

Qualified veterans receive a $6,000 assessed value exemption — or $50,000 for those with a 100% service-connected disability. Apply with your town assessor with documentation of service and discharge.

Maine Property Tax vs. New England

Maine’s effective property tax rate of approximately 0.98% is below the New England average. Connecticut (1.79%), Vermont (1.83%), and New Hampshire (1.93%) all pay more as a share of home value. Massachusetts (1.12%) and Rhode Island (1.53%) are also higher.

Estimating Your Tax Bill

  1. Find the town’s current mill rate at Maine Revenue Services or by calling your town assessor
  2. Find the property’s assessed value (from town assessor or most real estate listings)
  3. Subtract $25,000 if you qualify for the Homestead Exemption
  4. Multiply adjusted assessed value by mill rate, divide by 1,000
Example: $350,000 assessed value, $25,000 Homestead Exemption, 14.0 mill rate
($350,000 – $25,000) × 14.0 ÷ 1,000 = $4,550 per year Property taxes are typically due in September or October, with many towns offering two semi-annual installments.

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

Wondering how taxes fit into the overall budget? See the cost of living in Maine by city.

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