Most affordable counties to rent in Maine
Ranked by how much of the typical renter household's income the typical rent takes. Lincoln County is the most affordable at 26.7%; Washington County the least affordable at 35.1%.
| County | Rent-to-income | Median gross rent | Median renter income | Renters paying 30%+ | 2 BR FMR FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lincoln County | 26.7% | $1,055 | $47,422 | 36% | $1,307 |
| 2. Piscataquis County | 28.4% | $837 | $35,404 | 38% | $1,340 |
| 3. Somerset County | 28.4% | $910 | $38,422 | 44% | $1,242 |
| 4. Sagadahoc County | 28.5% | $1,098 | $46,232 | 48% | $1,659 |
| 5. York County | 29.1% | $1,339 | $55,270 | 44% | $1,792 |
| 6. Waldo County | 29.2% | $1,021 | $42,005 | 42% | $1,367 |
| 7. Aroostook County | 29.9% | $784 | $31,504 | 47% | $1,175 |
| 8. Kennebec County | 31.2% | $992 | $38,133 | 49% | $1,374 |
| 9. Hancock County | 31.4% | $1,061 | $40,571 | 51% | $1,484 |
| 10. Oxford County | 31.8% | $836 | $31,503 | 54% | $1,224 |
| 11. Cumberland County | 32.1% | $1,589 | $59,461 | 50% | $2,353 |
| 12. Penobscot County | 32.4% | $1,041 | $38,518 | 50% | $1,722 |
| 13. Androscoggin County | 34.3% | $1,010 | $35,373 | 51% | $1,677 |
| 14. Washington County | 35.1% | $783 | $26,791 | 52% | $1,230 |
Rent-to-income = median gross rent × 12 ÷ median household income of renters. Both are medians of different households, so this is an area comparison, not the burden of any one household. 2 of 16 counties are left out because they have fewer than 500 renter households, a Census margin of error is too large (coefficient of variation above 15%) or a figure is not published.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024 and 2015–2019 (tables B25064, B25119, B25070). ± = margin of error at 90% confidence. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation. FMR: HUD FY2027.
How much rent can you afford? Use the rent-to-income calculator →