What it actually costs to live in Maine.
Maine’s cost-of-living index sits at 106 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #19 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Maine costs about 6% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $345,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,850/mo.
Maine cost components
| Component | Maine | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 106 | 100 |
| Median home price | $345,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,850/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $174/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Maine compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Maine ranks #19 for cost. That places Maine in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Maine metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Portland has very different housing dynamics than smaller Maine metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Maine metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Maine cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Maine?
Maine's MERIC cost-of-living index is 106 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Maine costs about 6% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in Maine?
Maine's state-level median home price is approximately $345,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Maine?
Maine's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,850/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Maine-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Maine heating oil dependency: 60%+ of homes use fuel oil (highest in US), with average winter heating $2,500–$4,500. Coastal home prices have surged 60%+ since 2020 with remote-worker influx.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.