Maine
MENortheast · 4 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Maine is close to the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 99 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $1,724 a month, 11% below the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$4.13
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$1,724
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
99
vs. 100 national avg
Maine Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Maine is electricity, at 74% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 45% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 3.8% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Augusta saw the biggest move (up 5.5%), while Portland was up just 2.2%.
City to city
Where you live inside Maine matters. Typical rent runs from $1,497 in Augusta to $2,296 in Portland, a gap of $799 a month or about $9,588 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 47% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks the 8th highest of 51 states. Median household income there averages $74,797 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $4.13 a gallon, 4% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $289 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,180 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the Northeast rose 1.6% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Maine
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 16 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Cumberland County | $92,983 |
| 2York County | $82,904 |
| 3Sagadahoc County | $82,080 |
| 4Lincoln County | $72,026 |
| 5Knox County | $71,903 |
| 6Hancock County | $69,630 |
| 7Waldo County | $68,441 |
| 8Androscoggin County | $67,298 |
| 9Kennebec County | $65,062 |
| 10Penobscot County | $63,248 |
| 11Franklin County | $58,522 |
| 12Oxford County | $57,933 |
| 13Somerset County | $56,199 |
| 14Piscataquis County | $55,234 |
| 15Aroostook County | $54,254 |
| 16Washington County | $52,237 |
Maine Cost of Living FAQ
Is Maine expensive to live in?
Maine is close to the national average. Across the 4 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 99, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Maine?
Typical rent in Maine averages $1,724 a month across the 4 cities we track as of September 2026, 11% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks near the middle of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Maine?
Of the 4 cities we track in Maine, Augusta has the lowest cost of living index at 88. It also has the lowest typical rent we track there, at $1,497 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Maine?
Portland has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Maine, at 105. The highest typical rent is in Portland, at $2,296 a month.
How much is gas in Maine?
Regular unleaded averages $4.13 a gallon in Maine as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 4% above the national average of $3.98. That is the 15th most expensive of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Maine?
Rent in Maine rose an average of 3.8% over the past year across the 4 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Maine?
Residential electricity in Maine averages 32.1 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $289.
How much is car insurance in Maine?
Full coverage car insurance in Maine averages $1,180 a year, or about $98 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the lowest of 51 states.