Cost of Living in Maine Cities: These Are the Top 5

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Maine was part of Massachusetts and now is a state in the New England region of the United States.

It is the 12th-smallest by area and the 9th-least populous state.

Maine is known as the Pine Tree State.

To add more, it is the only state in America to share borders with just only one other state.

Keep reading this guide, and we will provide you the helpful insight into the cost of living in Maine.

Also, we will show you the most expensive cities in this state.

Is Maine a Good State for Living?

There is no doubt that Maine is a great place to settle down with its beautiful ocean views and beautiful autumn foliage.

Not to mention that this state also has the lowest crime rate of any other area, so you’ll feel safe living there.

There are plenty of adorable antique shops, which are some of the best in the nation.

Although the cost of living in Maine is higher than the national average, it’s still one of the cheapest states in the United States.

Housing Costs

On the positive side, there is a pretty affordable price for housing here.

Homes prices are around $237,000 on average, or nearly $36,000 less than the US average.

However, housing prices can vary a lot depending on which city of Maine we are looking.

But, on the negative side, Maine has the 10th highest utility cost in the nation.

Per month you can expect to pay around $470.00 for gas, water, electricity, internet, and cable, which is nearly $42.37 more than the average utility costs.

That is a result due to long freezing winters in this city.

Food Costs

To continue with analyzing the cost of living in Maine, here come the food prices.

Maine citizens have the third-highest grocery bills in the country.

The average single person spends $4,200 on groceries yearly, or nearly $1,500 more than the US average.

If you want to try Maine’s famous lobster rolls, you’ll also have to predict some cash for eating out.

The average meal for one person in an inexpensive restaurant costs $15, while a standard portion for two people at a mid-range restaurant cost around $65.

Healthcare Costs

As for healthcare, the residents here spent approximately $5,860, or nearly $1,000 more than the national average.

Under those circumstances, we can sum up that healthcare costs are also the expensive part of living in this state.

The Top Five Expensive Cities in This State

The cost of living varies based on where you’re located in the state of Maine.

Here are the top five most expensive cities in Maine.

Portland

One of the largest cities in this state holds claim to about one-quarter of the whole state’s population.

Have you wondered which city is that?

Portland, of course.

Due to that, housing prices here are almost double the national average, with a modest home costing $477,000.

The average rent price per month for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,350.

Healthcare in Portland is 8% higher than the national average.

In brief, a doctor’s visit can cost you around $120, a dentist visits $100, while a veterinary visit for your pet is not so expensive (around $50).

Lewiston

In Lewiston, you will never be bored.

There are plenty of things to do in this city.

Accordingly, you can go shopping in Westminister Station Shopping Center, North Wood Park Shopping Center, or even have a walk in a beautiful Maple Street Park.

Visiting these places is free of cost.

But, if you decide to sit in a restaurant, you have to pay a much more expensive price.

In this city, the restaurant prices are the biggest.

For instance, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant for one person is nearly $18.00, while a meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant can cost you more than $60.00.

As for health insurance coverage, we can notice that it is in line with what they are across Maine as a whole.

Out-of-pocket health care costs and insurance premiums — assuming at least a basic level of health insurance coverage — are slightly higher than they are on average.

For a single adult living in the area, average health care costs come out to $5,950 per year, compared to an average of $5,860 across Maine and $4,266 nationwide.

Bangor

The average cost of living in Bangor is $1627, which is in the top 24% of the most expensive cities in the world.

In this city, there are plenty of shopping malls.

To list – Bangor Mall Shopping Center, the Maine Square Mall Shopping Center, and the Broadway Shopping Center.

You can find fashionable and modern clothes but at a pricey cost.

Furthermore, the housing cost is also at a high level.

The average house value is from $150,700 up.

As for leisure activities, we can add that they are not so expensive in this city.

A gum membership per month is $22.5, while a one cinema ticker per one person is $10.

South Portland

The City of South Portland is a coastal community in southern Maine.

The Parks and Recreation Department provides services that improve the quality of life for the residents and create a very active sense of community.

Here, the local transport ticket is $2, and the monthly pass for local transport is up to $57.

As for leisure activities, in this city, the prices are much high than in Bangor.

For instance,  a gum membership per month is $38.

On the other side, a one cinema ticket is $12.

Auburn

In this small city in south-central Maine, there are lots of things to do.

Here you can see one of the most popular parks such as Rodney Bonney Memorial Park, Pettingill Park, and West Pitch Park.

Also, the Androscoggin County Historical Museum is a notable location to be visited.

But, the prices for entrances are not so low-costed.

The average house value in this city is $160.000, which is a high price for homes in Maine.

The other costs for living, such as food prices, transport, and health care prices, are pretty the same as in South Portland and Bangor.

So, without a doubt, this city is one of the most expensive cities in this state.

Maine Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Maine Safety Review

Safety Index:

86

• 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