Cost of Living in Maine
Updated November 2026 · population 1,387,817
Maine prices are 3.0% below the US average (index 97.0), ranking 26th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 78.9, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,510 a month.
Prices by category
Maine price index by category, US average = 100: All items 97.0, Housing (rents) 78.9, Goods 97.2, Utilities 135.2, Other services 103.2
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Maine (whole state) | 97.0 |
| Metropolitan areas of Maine | 100.3 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Maine | 91.6 |
Cities in Maine
Select a column heading to sort.
| Portland | 68,854 | 102.8 | $3,088 | $5,977 | $1,577 | $489,600 |
Metro areas in Maine
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 101.9 | 105.2 |
| Bangor, ME | 96.5 | 77.7 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 94.7 | 69.0 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Maine.
Modelled monthly budget at Maine average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Maine (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $772 | $9,264 | 31% |
| Utilities | $322 | $3,864 | 13% |
| Food at home | $274 | $3,288 | 11% |
| Transportation | $614 | $7,368 | 24% |
| Health care | $363 | $4,356 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 7% |
| Total | $2,510 | $30,120 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Maine (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,059 | $12,708 | 25% |
| Utilities | $515 | $6,180 | 12% |
| Food at home | $506 | $6,072 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,216 | $14,592 | 28% |
| Health care | $672 | $8,064 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $326 | $3,912 | 8% |
| Total | $4,294 | $51,528 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Maine (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,220 | $14,640 | 23% |
| Utilities | $627 | $7,524 | 12% |
| Food at home | $722 | $8,664 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,618 | $19,416 | 31% |
| Health care | $626 | $7,512 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $419 | $5,028 | 8% |
| Total | $5,232 | $62,784 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
32.11¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +14.1% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: New England (PADD 1A)
$4.14/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +41.4% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 95.6 | 97.9 | 97.3 | 100.7 | 98.0 | 97.0 |
Change over the period: +1.4 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maine an expensive state to live in?
Maine has a cost of living index of 97.0 (US = 100), 3.0% below the US average. It ranks 26th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 78.9 (rank 34), goods 97.2, utilities 135.2 and other services 103.2. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Maine?
At Maine state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,510 for a single adult, $4,294 for a couple and $5,232 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 100.3 and nonmetro areas 91.6.
What is the median rent and home value in Maine?
The median gross rent in Maine is $1,139 a month and the median home value is $296,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 29.4% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 23.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (New England (PADD 1A), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Northeast region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology