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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Maine, 2026

Hampden is the most affordable ranked town in Maine. The score uses rent, the regional price level, state and local taxes, and electricity. A lower score is more affordable.

Press-ready summary

34
Towns ranked in Maine.
Hampden
Number 1 in Maine. Rent is 12.1% of income. National rank 2429.
20.3%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Maine.
0
Ranked Maine towns in the national top 100.
South Portland
Least affordable ranked town in Maine. Rent is 25.0% of income. National rank 5669.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Maine." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/maine

https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/maine

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Benefits and taxes in Maine

Top 25

  1. #1 in Maine · National #2429

    Hampden

    Rent share 12.1% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.411

    Median rent is $1,133 a month and median income is $112,228, so rent is 12.1% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Bangor, ME metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  2. #2 in Maine · National #2642

    Houlton

    Rent share 16.5% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.425

    Median rent is $814 a month and median income is $59,236, so rent is 16.5% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  3. #3 in Maine · National #2749

    Caribou

    Rent share 16.9% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.433

    Median rent is $757 a month and median income is $53,709, so rent is 16.9% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  4. #4 in Maine · National #2836

    Ellsworth

    Rent share 15.8% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.440

    Median rent is $1,017 a month and median income is $77,375, so rent is 15.8% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  5. #5 in Maine · National #3510

    Presque Isle

    Rent share 19.5% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.488

    Median rent is $904 a month and median income is $55,768, so rent is 19.5% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  6. #6 in Maine · National #3511

    Auburn

    Rent share 18.7% · Price level 94.7 · Score 0.488

    Median rent is $1,041 a month and median income is $66,647, so rent is 18.7% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro price level is 94.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  7. #7 in Maine · National #3530

    Gardiner

    Rent share 18.6% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.490

    Median rent is $1,113 a month and median income is $71,782, so rent is 18.6% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  8. #8 in Maine · National #3567

    Belfast

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.492

    Median rent is $962 a month and median income is $67,679, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  9. #9 in Maine · National #3823

    Gorham

    Rent share 14.7% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.513

    Median rent is $1,573 a month and median income is $128,190, so rent is 14.7% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  10. #10 in Maine · National #3853

    Brewer

    Rent share 19.6% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.515

    Median rent is $1,086 a month and median income is $66,613, so rent is 19.6% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Bangor, ME metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  11. #11 in Maine · National #4068

    Lewiston

    Rent share 21.4% · Price level 94.7 · Score 0.531

    Median rent is $986 a month and median income is $55,393, so rent is 21.4% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Lewiston-Auburn, ME metro price level is 94.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  12. #12 in Maine · National #4072

    North Windham

    Rent share 16.9% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.531

    Median rent is $1,248 a month and median income is $88,522, so rent is 16.9% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  13. #13 in Maine · National #4084

    Saco

    Rent share 16.2% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.532

    Median rent is $1,249 a month and median income is $92,241, so rent is 16.2% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  14. #14 in Maine · National #4178

    Winslow

    Rent share 20.9% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.538

    Median rent is $1,036 a month and median income is $59,547, so rent is 20.9% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  15. #15 in Maine · National #4206

    Bangor

    Rent share 21.1% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.540

    Median rent is $1,055 a month and median income is $59,942, so rent is 21.1% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Bangor, ME metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  16. #16 in Maine · National #4334

    Waterville

    Rent share 21.9% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.549

    Median rent is $978 a month and median income is $53,580, so rent is 21.9% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  17. #17 in Maine · National #4404

    Topsham

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.555

    Median rent is $1,491 a month and median income is $100,024, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  18. #18 in Maine · National #4415

    Bath

    Rent share 18.1% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.556

    Median rent is $1,044 a month and median income is $69,390, so rent is 18.1% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  19. #19 in Maine · National #4465

    Skowhegan

    Rent share 23.3% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.563

    Median rent is $880 a month and median income is $45,388, so rent is 23.3% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  20. #20 in Maine · National #4498

    Sanford

    Rent share 19.1% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.566

    Median rent is $1,152 a month and median income is $72,524, so rent is 19.1% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  21. #21 in Maine · National #4597

    Old Town

    Rent share 23.0% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.573

    Median rent is $989 a month and median income is $51,585, so rent is 23.0% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Bangor, ME metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  22. #22 in Maine · National #4631

    Augusta

    Rent share 23.0% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.576

    Median rent is $919 a month and median income is $47,979, so rent is 23.0% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  23. #23 in Maine · National #4689

    Kennebunk

    Rent share 18.5% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.581

    Median rent is $1,466 a month and median income is $95,169, so rent is 18.5% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  24. #24 in Maine · National #4829

    Rockland

    Rent share 23.2% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.591

    Median rent is $1,092 a month and median income is $56,533, so rent is 23.2% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  25. #25 in Maine · National #4872

    Westbrook

    Rent share 19.6% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.594

    Median rent is $1,392 a month and median income is $85,038, so rent is 19.6% of income, under the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

Least affordable 10

  1. #34 in Maine · National #5669

    South Portland

    Rent share 25.0% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.694

    Median rent is $1,812 a month and median income is $86,838, so rent is 25.0% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  2. #33 in Maine · National #5630

    Old Orchard Beach

    Rent share 24.9% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.688

    Median rent is $1,246 a month and median income is $60,050, so rent is 24.9% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  3. #32 in Maine · National #5623

    Brunswick

    Rent share 24.9% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.687

    Median rent is $1,465 a month and median income is $70,722, so rent is 24.9% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  4. #31 in Maine · National #5597

    Kittery

    Rent share 24.0% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.684

    Median rent is $1,697 a month and median income is $84,730, so rent is 24.0% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  5. #30 in Maine · National #5366

    Yarmouth

    Rent share 21.3% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.650

    Median rent is $1,663 a month and median income is $93,575, so rent is 21.3% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  6. #29 in Maine · National #5272

    Biddeford

    Rent share 21.4% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.636

    Median rent is $1,292 a month and median income is $72,333, so rent is 21.4% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  7. #28 in Maine · National #5258

    Oak Hill

    Rent share 21.4% · Price level 101.9 · Score 0.634

    Median rent is $1,743 a month and median income is $97,610, so rent is 21.4% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Portland-South Portland, ME metro price level is 101.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  8. #27 in Maine · National #5256

    Portland

    Rent share 23.8% · Price level 97.0 · Score 0.633

    Median rent is $1,577 a month and median income is $79,540, so rent is 23.8% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Maine state price level is 97.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

  9. #26 in Maine · National #5182

    Orono

    Rent share 25.7% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.624

    Median rent is $1,280 a month and median income is $59,784, so rent is 25.7% of income, over the 20.3% median for ranked towns in Maine. The Bangor, ME metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 32.41 cents per kWh. Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is electricity price.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Each of the four parts counts the same. That equal weight is our choice so the formula stays easy to read. It is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.

Score = (percentile of rent share + percentile of price level + tax score + percentile of electricity price) / 4. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Maine in this index?

Hampden is number 1 of 34 ranked towns in Maine. Median rent is 12.1% of median income. Its national rank is 2429.

How many towns in Maine were ranked?

34 towns in Maine have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Maine?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.