Housing in Maine is surprisingly inexpensive.
It’s located in the Northeastern U.S. and borders Canada.
The cheap housing is attributed to a low demand for housing.
It’s one of the least densely populated states in the nation, with only 35 individuals per square mile.
You won’t need to trade amenities or beauty for this affordability.
Maine offers beautiful scenery, ocean views, mountain ranges, and a small-town feel.
Cheapest Places to Live in Maine
- Waterville
- Augusta
- Bangor
- Auburn
- Lewiston
- Orono
- Sanford
- Topsham
- Skowhegan
- Brunswick
- Rockland
- Caribou
- Presque Isle
1. Waterville
Waterville has an average home price of $204,250.
You can expect to pay about $134 per square foot for a home in this area.
It’s a bit secluded, with the nearest city, Bangor, being an hour’s drive away.
Nature lovers should check out the Quarry Road Trails.
If art is more your style, the Colby College Museum of Art is a great place to visit
Waterville has a thriving downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants and a weekly farmers’ market.
2. Augusta
Augusta is another smaller city with plenty of charm.
The median home price is $200,000.
Homes typically cost $196 per square foot in Augusta.
The nearest city is Portland, which is about an hour’s drive away.
The Kennebec River is one great reason to live here.
You can hike the Kennebec River Trail, fish, or kayak the river.
You should also visit the Old Fort Western.
It’s the oldest wooden fort in New England.
3. Bangor
Bangor is essentially a small town, despite being fairly well known.
The most famous resident is Stephen King.
You can expect to pay $292,000 for a house in the area, and the average price is $165 per square foot.
Bangor boasts several museums including the Maine Discovery Museum and the Cole Land Transportation Museum.
Downtown is popular with locals, and the Bangr Waterfront has plenty to offer.
If you want to get away from it all, you can hike or ski at the Bangor City Forest.
4. Auburn
Auburn is a bit more expensive than Bangor, with a median home price of $320,000.
The average price per square foot is $217.
The town has about 24,000 residents.
The nearest city is Portland, which is a 30-minute drive away.
If you’ve dreamed about living in a small town in New England, this might be the place for you.
Auburn residents love the Auburn Lake Nature Trail, which features breathtaking views of Lake Auburn.
You can also explore the riverfront, or take the Longley Bridge to Lewiston.
5. Lewiston
Lewiston is a bit larger than Auburn.
Homes are a bit more expensive, with an average cost of $341,670.
However, the price per square foot is only $176.
The Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is a great place to see in Lewiston.
You can also enjoy Heritage Park and pick up some local goods at the Lewiston Farmer’s Market.
History lovers will enjoy historic sites, including the Continental Mill.
6. Orono
Orono is only 10 miles from Bangor.
The median home price is $350,000, but the square footage price is only $157.
It’s a small town with a little over 11,000 residents.
It’s a close-knit community with lots of natural beauty.
You can spend the day at Pushaw Lake.
Hikers enjoy the Stillwater Trail or the myriad of trails at the Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area.
7. Sanford
Sanford is a smaller city, with about 20,000 residents.
It’s about a half-hour drive from Portland.
The median home price is $350,000.
You’ll pay about $231 per square foot here.
Walking is a popular activity in Sanford.
You’ll find plenty of wilderness trails and hikes to view historic buildings.
You can stroll through downtown, or walk the bank of the Mousam River.
Camping is another popular activity in the city.
8. Topsham
Topsham is just a 30-minute drive from Portland.
The median home price is $315,000.
You can expect to pay $175 per square foot here.
This small town has a population of less than 10,000.
If you are looking for a place where everyone knows everybody, you should consider Topsham.
The Topsham Fair has been held annually for more than 160 years.
The fair features crafts, activities, and harness horse racing.
The swinging bridge is another place to visit in Topsham.
9. Skowhegan
Skowhegan has less than 9,000 residents and offers a relaxed suburban feel.
The median home price is only $209,000.
You’ll pay about $122 per square foot for a home in Skowhegan.
This town is popular with retirees, and residents tend to be conservative.
It’s the gateway to Maine’s whitewater rafting, which includes IV and V-class rapids.
It’s also a Main Street Community, which means it’s dedicated to restoring the historic downtown area.
10. Brunswick
Brunswick’s median home price is $427,000.
The price per square foot is $269.
It’s more expensive than most of the cities on our list, but is it worth the cost?
The town borders Topsham.
It’s a typical Maine college town and is the home of Bowdoin College.
Attractions in Brunswick include Maine State Music Theater, which has performances worthy of Broadway.
You can also enjoy the Maine Museum of Art.
History lovers enjoy The Skolfield-Whitter House.
The historical home once belonged to a sea captain.
11. Rockland
Rockland has an average home price of $352,000.
The average price per square foot is $230.
It’s a coastal town and borders Penobscot Bay.
The town has just 7,000 year-round residents.
Despite its small size, Rockland has a lot to offer.
Residents enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s considered a visual arts hub.
Farnsworth Art Museum and Center for Maine Contemporary Art are a few attractions.
It has a multi-use harbor and waterfront.
You’ll find plenty of nightlife, parks and outdoor recreation, and shopping in Rockland.
12. Caribou
The average home price in Caribou is only $87,500.
The average price per square foot is $57.
Home prices in the area are down 50% from last year, making it a very economical place to live.
Caribou offers the best of both worlds.
It has a small population of just 8,000 residents.
However, despite the small population, it has many amenities you’ll find in larger cities.
You’ll find several local parks nearby, where you can hike, fish, and snowboard.
Residents take a lot of pride in their town, and the community is close-knit.
13. Presque Isle
Presque Isle’s slogan is “Almost an island, always a community”.
The average home price is $189,000.
This picturesque isle boasts an international airport for travelers and several ski resorts.
The Nordic Heritage Center offers hiking and mountain biking in the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
It’s also well known for Aroostook State Park, which is the first state park in the state.
You can camp, boat on Echo Lake, and hike the trails.
Another fun way to enjoy Presque Isle is to visit the solar system.
It’s the largest scale model of the Solar System, and it stretches for 40 miles.
The town is also home to The University of Maine at Presque Isle.
You’ll find a few fine restaurants and an upscale hotel in the town.
Maine Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Maine Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest area to live in Maine?
Caribou is the cheapest place to live in Maine with most homes costing less than $100,000.
What area should I avoid in Maine?
Brewer is an inexpensive place to live, but it’s an area you’ll want to avoid.
The poverty rate in Brewer is 42%, and the median income is significantly less than average for the state.
How much money do I need to live in Maine?
The average cost of living in Maine is $50,000.
You’ll need to make at least $50,000 a year to live comfortably in Maine.
