Best places to live in Maine
CityLedger tracks 2 Maine metros, led by Portland. Cost of living runs from about 97 to 102 against a U.S. average of 100. Every figure below is computed from public U.S. government data and links to a full profile.
CityLedger tracks 2 metros in Maine, the largest being the Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area (around 571,534 people). Across the state, median household income runs from $66,506 in Bangor to $93,062 in Portland, and typical rent from $1,015 a month in Bangor upward — a reminder that "Maine" is really several different housing and job markets, not one.
Bangor has the lowest overall price level in the state (about 97 versus a U.S. average of 100), but the cheapest metro isn't always where money goes furthest. Adjusting income for local prices, Portland delivers the best real buying power — a cost-adjusted median of about $91,364.
Taxes shift the picture in ways a cost-of-living index alone misses: Maine levies a state income tax, so take-home pay is lower here than in no-income-tax states at the same salary, and combined state and local sales tax averages about 5.5% (Tax Foundation). Our salary calculator folds federal, FICA, and Maine state tax into a single take-home figure for any metro here.
Portland earns the state's highest CityLedger livability score, 76/100; Portland is the fastest-growing, up 6.1% over the latest population estimate; Portland carries the lowest natural-hazard loss rate, about $9 per $10,000 of property (FEMA). Open any metro below for the full, sourced breakdown behind these figures.
| Metro | Livability | Cost of living | Median income | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 76 | 102 | $93,062 | $1,590/mo |
| Bangor, ME | 46 | 97 | $66,506 | $1,015/mo |
Browse every metro on the cities index or the rankings.
Living in Maine — frequently asked
- What is the most affordable metro in Maine?
- By overall price level, Bangor is the most affordable metro in Maine, at about 97 against a U.S. average of 100 (BEA Regional Price Parities). Affordability also depends on local pay — see where a paycheck stretches furthest below.
- Where does a paycheck go furthest in Maine?
- Portland has the highest cost-adjusted income in Maine — a median of about $91,364 once local prices are factored in, meaning typical pay buys the most there.
- Does Maine have a state income tax?
- Yes. Maine levies a state income tax, which lowers take-home pay relative to no-income-tax states; combined state and local sales tax also averages about 5.5%. Our salary calculator estimates the exact take-home for each metro.
- Which Maine metro has the highest livability score?
- Portland, at 76/100 on CityLedger's livability score — a transparent blend of affordability, jobs, income, education, and commute, all from public data.