Average Rent in Maine

Rental market overview for Maine, powered by HUD and Census data.

Median Rent

$918

Median Income

$62,175

Rent Burden

28.8%

Avg FMR (2BR)

N/A

Affordability

Maine: 28.8% rent burden, near the 30% affordability threshold.

<25% 25 to 30%>30%

Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in Maine

Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.

Cities in Maine by median income and median rent
City	Median income	Median rent	Rent burden
Portland	$71,498	$1,377	28.9%
Lewiston	$54,317	$903	28.2%
Bangor	$52,438	$930	29.8%
South Portland	$82,489	$1,607	31.0%
Auburn	$59,659	$926	28.4%
Biddeford	$63,261	$1,102	25.1%
Sanford	$71,848	$1,081	29.1%
Saco	$81,326	$1,288	30.4%
Westbrook	$81,198	$1,302	28.3%
Augusta	$45,006	$865	29.7%
Brunswick	$66,696	$1,180	31.5%
Waterville	$45,208	$883	29.9%
Orono	$52,718	$1,044	32.5%
Brewer	$55,870	$970	31.1%
Old Orchard Beach	$62,335	$1,017	30.6%
Bath	$63,023	$934	33.8%
Presque Isle	$52,109	$812	28.7%
Ellsworth	$61,233	$885	35.5%
Old Town	$46,343	$920	34.0%
Caribou	$47,803	$636	27.0%
Gorham	$96,332	$1,240	28.0%
Rockland	$52,212	$948	33.0%
Belfast	$53,925	$902	30.9%
Topsham	$75,801	$1,119	31.1%
Skowhegan	$46,613	$825	29.9%
Kennebunk	$88,996	$1,159	25.4%
Gardiner	$57,329	$872	27.8%
Yarmouth	$89,770	$1,567	32.6%
Winslow	$53,896	$868	24.1%
North Windham	$90,604	$1,231	21.7%
Oak Hill	$89,265	$1,509	30.0%
Kittery	$67,206	$1,300	26.9%
Houlton	$50,625	$652	36.8%
Hampden	$97,019	$969	29.7%
Farmington	$40,350	$832	31.6%
Lisbon Falls	$69,013	$950	27.0%
Millinocket	$45,345	$594	23.9%
Rumford	$35,818	$567	28.0%
South Eliot	$91,457	$1,570	28.8%
Camden	$92,857	$1,146	31.7%
York Harbor	$89,647	$1,392	40.8%
Lisbon	$72,019	$829	24.7%
South Berwick	$79,688	$1,217	29.0%
Calais	$45,250	$698	29.9%
Bucksport	$48,942	$672	34.4%
Cumberland Center	$116,891	$1,346	51.0%
Lake Arrowhead	$80,819	$1,850	41.0%
Dover-Foxcroft	$47,764	$821	29.2%
Hallowell	$62,990	$835	23.9%
Winthrop	$66,875	$1,074	21.2%
Lincoln	$28,932	$639	43.2%
Oakland	$41,499	$847	36.3%
Fort Kent	$57,067	$847	31.1%
Cape Neddick	$76,701	$1,464	43.3%
Mechanic Falls	$55,986	$1,110	28.2%
Milford	$59,053	$933	19.8%
Farmingdale	$58,709	$730	32.5%
South Paris	$42,321	$549	40.2%
Bar Harbor	$46,917	$925	27.3%
Thomaston	$54,155	$887	18.7%
Madison	$39,695	$986	24.9%
Steep Falls	$85,040	$1,659	38.1%
Berwick	$63,199	$1,041	33.7%
Falmouth Foreside	$190,476	$2,672	23.7%
Veazie	$73,750	$1,075	24.7%
Freeport	$76,012	$1,573	33.8%
Richmond	$68,030	$849	29.3%
Mexico	$35,093	$765	28.5%
North Berwick	$50,579	$1,055	31.8%
Livermore Falls	$44,864	$809	30.9%
Dexter	$56,280	$856	24.4%
Dunstan	$86,823	$1,448	43.8%
Van Buren	$34,263	$628	24.7%
Falmouth	$112,596	$1,317	25.4%
Wilton	$42,143	$555	24.5%
Fort Fairfield	$55,625	$393	38.3%
Waldoboro	$54,345	$333	25.0%
East Millinocket	$44,531	$613	38.0%
Randolph	$48,654	$870	29.1%
Bridgton	$56,475	$912	30.7%
Dixfield	$52,208	$706	22.1%
Fryeburg	$41,350	$644	28.9%
Newport	$36,563	$810	40.3%
Clinton	$71,934	$1,036	19.9%
Milo	$51,528	$654	28.0%
Machias	$25,278	$661	37.7%
West Kennebunk	$90,104	$1,401	31.5%
Damariscotta	$53,571	$943	32.3%
Eastport	$44,919	$438	30.7%
Wiscasset	$102,792	$1,200	19.3%
Woodland	$44,917	$790	41.0%
Limestone	$36,023	$597	27.6%
Howland	$45,313	$760	30.6%
Cornish	$65,833	$1,083	35.4%
Winterport	$44,205	$638	48.9%
Norridgewock	$41,944	$980	21.9%
Chisholm	$58,750	$721	9.0%
Searsport	$59,679	$875	31.6%
Kittery Point	$121,042	$1,600	22.7%
Boothbay Harbor	$65,795	$589	27.4%
Greenville	$53,068	$663	25.5%
Mars Hill	$39,677	$412	23.8%
Greene	$105,543	$1,150	42.6%
Little Falls	$123,611	$2,190	19.7%
Bradley	$75,938	$890	29.8%
Washburn	$35,000	$442	29.1%
Alfred	$40,326	$717	33.5%
Kezar Falls	$43,688	$1,051	51.0%
Jonesport	$55,938	$323	29.4%
Mapleton	$77,109	$375	27.8%
Bingham	$41,618	$684	23.8%
Hartland	$49,521	$856	19.3%
Kingfield	$46,750	$595	31.3%
Rangeley	$48,026	$631	27.3%
Bethel	$32,321	$377	26.8%
Corinna	$46,786	$769	22.5%
Guilford	$41,518	$463	25.3%
Southwest Harbor	$30,625	$694	34.2%
Brownville Junction	$39,922	$847	27.5%
Danforth	$39,091	$561	19.0%
Mattawamkeag	$38,750	$345	31.6%
Oakfield	$39,500	$431	25.9%
Northeast Harbor	$100,313	$986	24.7%
Eagle Lake	$37,813	$575	33.1%
Patten	$27,813	$334	30.2%
Winter Harbor	$57,917	$927	36.0%
Lubec	$37,813	$278	28.9%
Unity	$25,658	$408	28.6%
Standish	$56,645	$1,344	33.1%
Grand Isle	$32,500	$486	31.6%

How Maine Compares to the National Average

Median Rent

$918▼ 32.7%

Rent Burden

28.8%▼ 5.0%

Vacancy Rate

17.0%▲ 97.7%

Maine Rental Market Overview

Maine has approximately 152 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 32.0% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $918, which is 33% lower than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)

The average Maine renter spends approximately 28.8% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests the state is generally in line with or more affordable than national averages. (Source: Census ACS)

With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 17.0%, the Maine rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)

Rent Burden Distribution Across Maine Cities

42% of cities in Maine have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.

City count by rent burden bracket for Maine
Burden bracket	Number of cities
Under 25%	29
25 to 30%	50
30 to 35%	36
35% and up	22

Most and Least Affordable Cities

Most Affordable Cities

Most Expensive Cities

Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):

Thomaston: median rent of $887, median income of $54,155, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 18.7%. (Source: Census ACS)

Milford: median rent of $933, median income of $59,053, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 19.8%. (Source: Census ACS)

Winthrop: median rent of $1,074, median income of $66,875, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 21.2%. (Source: Census ACS)

North Windham: median rent of $1,231, median income of $90,604, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 21.7%. (Source: Census ACS)

Falmouth Foreside: median rent of $2,672, median income of $190,476, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 23.7%. (Source: Census ACS)

Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):

Cumberland Center: median rent of $1,346, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Cape Neddick: median rent of $1,464, with a rent burden of approximately 43.3%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Lincoln: median rent of $639, with a rent burden of approximately 43.2%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Lake Arrowhead: median rent of $1,850, with a rent burden of approximately 41.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

York Harbor: median rent of $1,392, with a rent burden of approximately 40.8%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom

HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.

Population vs Median Rent in Maine

In Maine, larger cities tend to have higher rents than smaller towns.

Renting in Maine: What to Know

Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within Maine. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within Maine may have additional local tenant protections.

Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.

Maine Rental Market Trends

Rent trends for Maine are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.

Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)

Cities in Maine

152 cities with rental data, sorted by population.

Showing top 50 of 152 by population

City	Population	Median Rent	Rent Burden	FMR (2BR)
Portland	68,280	$1,377	28.9%	N/A
Lewiston	37,577	$903	28.2%	N/A
Bangor	31,705	$930	29.8%	N/A
South Portland	26,656	$1,607	31.0%	N/A
Auburn	24,038	$926	28.4%	N/A
Biddeford	22,438	$1,102	25.1%	N/A
Sanford	21,986	$1,081	29.1%	N/A
Saco	20,446	$1,288	30.4%	N/A
Westbrook	20,339	$1,302	28.3%	N/A
Augusta	18,938	$865	29.7%	N/A
Brunswick	16,725	$1,180	31.5%	N/A
Waterville	15,785	$883	29.9%	N/A
Orono	10,116	$1,044	32.5%	N/A
Brewer	9,633	$970	31.1%	N/A
Old Orchard Beach	9,040	$1,017	30.6%	N/A
Bath	8,775	$934	33.8%	N/A
Presque Isle	8,772	$812	28.7%	N/A
Ellsworth	8,478	$885	35.5%	N/A
Old Town	7,458	$920	34.0%	N/A
Caribou	7,454	$636	27.0%	N/A
Gorham	7,050	$1,240	28.0%	N/A
Rockland	6,986	$948	33.0%	N/A
Belfast	6,953	$902	30.9%	N/A
Topsham	6,813	$1,119	31.1%	N/A
Skowhegan	6,270	$825	29.9%	N/A
Kennebunk	6,000	$1,159	25.4%	N/A
Gardiner	5,994	$872	27.8%	N/A
Yarmouth	5,937	$1,567	32.6%	N/A
Winslow	5,597	$868	24.1%	N/A
North Windham	5,525	$1,231	21.7%	N/A
Oak Hill	5,400	$1,509	30.0%	N/A
Kittery	5,197	$1,300	26.9%	N/A
Houlton	4,918	$652	36.8%	N/A
Hampden	4,466	$969	29.7%	N/A
Farmington	4,318	$832	31.6%	N/A
Lisbon Falls	4,177	$950	27.0%	N/A
Millinocket	4,136	$594	23.9%	N/A
Rumford	3,922	$567	28.0%	N/A
South Eliot	3,686	$1,570	28.8%	N/A
Camden	3,644	$1,146	31.7%	N/A
York Harbor	3,640	$1,392	40.8%	N/A
Lisbon	3,470	$829	24.7%	N/A
South Berwick	3,453	$1,217	29.0%	N/A
Pittsfield	3,148	N/A	27.6%	N/A
Calais	3,078	$698	29.9%	N/A
Bucksport	2,947	$672	34.4%	N/A
Cumberland Center	2,913	$1,346	51.0%	N/A
Lake Arrowhead	2,896	$1,850	41.0%	N/A
Dover-Foxcroft	2,836	$821	29.2%	N/A
Hallowell	2,558	$835	23.9%	N/A

Data Sources

**Data Sources:**

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Rent of Primary Residence

Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.

StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.

Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.