The 04345 zip code in Gardiner tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Maine.
Whether you're searching for affordable cities and towns to buy a home or the places with the lowest cost of living to rent, consider the following zip codes.
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Top 10 most affordable places to live in Maine
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gardiner 🥇 | 100.0 | $308,061 | $1,971 |
| 2 | Winslow 🥈 | 98.7 | $264,544 | $1,272 |
| 3 | Bangor 🥉 | 98.2 | $299,379 | $1,478 |
| 4 | Ellsworth | 91.2 | $338,665 | $1,971 |
| 5 | Windham | 86.4 | $482,859 | $2,328 |
| 6 | Sanford | 78.5 | $367,549 | $1,686 |
| 7 | Augusta | 76.3 | $285,963 | $1,464 |
| 8 | Auburn | 75.6 | $320,975 | $1,673 |
| 9 | Lewiston | 74.8 | $296,121 | $1,398 |
| 10 | Gorham | 72.2 | $534,999 | $1,971 |
What these affordable cities and towns have in common
The 10 zip codes we ranked share a common trait: a low cost of living relative to the Maine median.
Median home values, rental costs, and property taxes generally sit below the state averages, while household incomes remain strong enough to keep home affordability ratios manageable. Below, we look at each market in detail.
1. Gardiner
Here's why the 04345 zip code in Gardiner is Maine's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Gardiner
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $308,061[1] | No. 5 | -$144,337 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.0 | No. 1 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 44.6%[2] | No. 17 | 2.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.9%[3] | No. 20 | 0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,971[4] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.41% | No. 8 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $77,410[5] | No. 14 | -$4,417 |
| Property taxes | $2,445[6] | No. 1 | -$1,692 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Gardiner's 04345 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Maine, leading the 24 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $308,061, making it the 5th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 1.9% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,971 per month, which is the 8th cheapest amount in Maine.
The median property tax for homeowners in Gardiner is $2,445 per household, the No. 1 ranked market in Maine.
Residents pay $0.18 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 1 among Maine markets.
📈 Thinking about buying in Maine? See our complete housing market outlook for the data, trends, and timing insights Maine buyers need to know.
2. Winslow
The 04901 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Maine.
🔎 Key data about Winslow
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.7 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $264,544[1] | No. 1 | -$187,854 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.6 | No. 5 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 57.6%[2] | No. 24 | 15.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.9%[3] | No. 20 | 0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,272[4] | No. 1 | -$699 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.22% | No. 5 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $57,403[5] | No. 22 | -$24,424 |
| Property taxes | $2,608[6] | No. 4 | -$1,529 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Winslow's 04901 zip code has a median home value of $264,544, which is the 1st-cheapest housing market in Maine. You can rent for an average of $1,272 per month. That's the 1st-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $57,403, which ranks 22nd-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Winslow pay a median property tax of $2,608 per year, making it the 4th-most affordable market in Maine.
Winslow ranks No. 1 among Maine energy markets. You'll pay $0.18 per kWh of electricity.
3. Bangor
The 3rd-least-expensive place to live in Maine is Bangor's 04401 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Bangor
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.2 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $299,379[1] | No. 4 | -$153,020 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 3 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 44.3%[2] | No. 16 | 2.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.8%[3] | No. 19 | 0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,478[4] | No. 4 | -$493 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.21% | No. 4 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $66,932[5] | No. 19 | -$14,895 |
| Property taxes | $3,002[6] | No. 6 | -$1,135 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[7] | No. 23 | $0.02 |
The No. 4 cheapest housing market in Maine is Bangor's 04401 zip code, with a median home value of $299,379. Rents in the market average $1,478 per month, making it the 4th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Bangor is $3,002, which makes it the 6th-cheapest place in Maine. Bangor ranks No. 23 among Maine markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
4. Ellsworth
The 04605 zip code in Ellsworth comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Maine.
🔎 Key data about Ellsworth
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 91.2 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $338,665[1] | No. 7 | -$113,734 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.4 | No. 2 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.1%[2] | No. 10 | -2.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.4%[3] | No. 18 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,971[4] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.41% | No. 8 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $77,377[5] | No. 15 | -$4,450 |
| Property taxes | $2,596[6] | No. 3 | -$1,541 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[7] | No. 23 | $0.02 |
The No. 7 cheapest housing market in Maine is Ellsworth's 04605 zip code, where the median home value is $338,665. Renters here pay an average of $1,971 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Ellsworth ranks 23rd among Maine markets. Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $2,596, which makes it the 3rd-cheapest market in Maine.
5. Windham
The 04062 zip code in Windham ranks No. 5 among Maine's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Windham
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.4 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $482,859[1] | No. 11 | $30,461 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.5 | No. 4 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 39.3%[2] | No. 6 | -3.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.2%[3] | No. 5 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $2,328[4] | No. 20 | $356 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.16% | No. 2 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $107,934[5] | No. 5 | $26,107 |
| Property taxes | $3,938[6] | No. 11 | -$199 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Windham's 04062 zip code has a median home value of $482,859, the 11th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 1.2% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Windham is $3,938. It's the 11th-cheapest market by tax rate in Maine.
6. Sanford
The No. 6 most affordable city in Maine is the 04073 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Sanford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 78.5 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $367,549[1] | No. 8 | -$84,849 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.0 | No. 8 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 44.0%[2] | No. 15 | 1.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.1%[3] | No. 2 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,686[4] | No. 6 | -$285 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.31% | No. 6 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $72,917[5] | No. 18 | -$8,910 |
| Property taxes | $3,787[6] | No. 10 | -$350 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Sanford's 04073 zip code, which has the 8th-cheapest home values in Maine. The median home value is $367,549. Rents average $1,686 per month, making it the 6th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.18 per kWh of electricity. It's the 1st-cheapest energy market.
7. Augusta
Augusta's 04330 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Maine.
🔎 Key data about Augusta
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 76.3 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $285,963[1] | No. 2 | -$166,435 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.2 | No. 11 | -0.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 46.2%[2] | No. 19 | 4.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.0%[3] | No. 23 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,464[4] | No. 3 | -$508 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.67% | No. 19 | 0.3% |
| Median household income | $54,775[5] | No. 24 | -$27,052 |
| Property taxes | $2,447[6] | No. 2 | -$1,690 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 2nd-cheapest home values in Maine in Augusta's 04330 zip code. The median value: $285,963. Renters in Augusta pay an average of $1,464 per month.
Homeowners in Augusta pay a median property tax of $2,447 per year, which is Maine's 2nd-most affordable market.
The average household income is $54,775, which ranks 24th-highest in the state.
8. Auburn
The 8th-least-expensive place to live in Maine is Auburn's 04210 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Auburn
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 75.6 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $320,975[1] | No. 6 | -$131,423 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 7 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 48.7%[2] | No. 22 | 6.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.9%[3] | No. 20 | 0.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,673[4] | No. 5 | -$298 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.51% | No. 15 | 0.1% |
| Median household income | $66,647[5] | No. 20 | -$15,180 |
| Property taxes | $3,687[6] | No. 8 | -$450 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 6th-cheapest housing market in Maine is Auburn's 04210 zip code, with a median home value of $320,975. Renters pay an average of $1,673 per month, the No. 5 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Auburn is $3,687, which makes it the 8th-cheapest place in Maine. The average household income of $66,647 ranks 20th.
9. Lewiston
Lewiston's 04240 zip code is one of Maine's most affordable towns, sneaking into the top ten of our rankings.
🔎 Key data about Lewiston
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 74.8 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $296,121[1] | No. 3 | -$156,277 |
| Home affordability ratio | 5.3 | No. 13 | -0.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 56.2%[2] | No. 23 | 13.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.0%[3] | No. 23 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,398[4] | No. 2 | -$573 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.52% | No. 17 | 0.1% |
| Median household income | $55,393[5] | No. 23 | -$26,434 |
| Property taxes | $2,899[6] | No. 5 | -$1,238 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 3rd-cheapest housing market in Maine is Lewiston's 04240 zip code, where the median home value is $296,121. Renters pay an average of $1,398 per month. It's the state's 2nd-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $2,899, which makes it the 5th-cheapest property tax rate in Maine.
10. Gorham
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Maine goes to the 04038 zip code in Gorham.
🔎 Key data about Gorham
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 24 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 72.2 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $534,999[1] | No. 17 | $82,601 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.8 | No. 6 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 40.2%[2] | No. 12 | -2.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.2%[3] | No. 5 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,971[4] | No. 7 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.41% | No. 8 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $112,312[5] | No. 4 | $30,485 |
| Property taxes | $4,825[6] | No. 18 | $688 |
| Energy costs | $0.18 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Rounding out our top 10 is Gorham's 04038 zip code, with the 17th-cheapest home values in Maine.
The median home value is $534,999. Rent in the market costs $1,971 per month on average.
The median property tax for households in Gorham is $4,825, which is the 18th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Gorham ranks No. 1 among Maine markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.18 per kWh of electricity.
What questions about these cities should I ask local agents?
Once you've found a town you're interested in, you'll want to ask a local agent for details our rankings can't capture. Start with these four questions:
- What neighborhoods inside this zip code have the best resale value?
- What's the rental market like right now?
- Are there local property tax exemptions or homestead programs you'd qualify for?
- What are the most common surprises buyers run into here?
🏡 Need a local agent? We can connect you with an expert who knows the market.
Frequently asked questions about the least expensive places to live in Maine
Based on Clever's Affordability Score, the 04345 zip code in Gardiner is the cheapest place to live in Maine.
The median home value is $308,061, and the median household income is $77,410, giving Gardiner a home affordability ratio of 4.0, meaning a typical home costs about that many times the median annual income.
See our Affordability Score methodology and the full ranking of the 10 cheapest places to live in Maine.
The median home value in Maine is $452,398.
See the rankings above for how individual cities compare to these state-wide figures.
Maine is currently a neutral market, according to Clever's Market Heat Index.
The index reflects the balance between buyer demand and seller supply, which affects how much negotiating power buyers and sellers have in any given market.
Markets also vary by city, county, and neighborhood. It's always good to check with a local real estate agent to understand the dynamics of a given local market.
The median amount homeowners pay in property taxes in Maine is $4,137 per year.
Property taxes are a key part of the overall cost of living, and they vary significantly by location. The per-city tax figures in the rankings above show how each of the 10 cheapest places stacks up against the Maine median.
📍 The 10 cheapest places to live in your region
How we ranked the most affordable cities and towns in Maine
We evaluated 24 zip codes in Maine with a population over 10,000 on home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Maine, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Maine average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Maine average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
Why you should trust us
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Our team is committed to making home purchasing more transparent by educating buyers and sellers through guides like this one. Our writers, editors, and industry-leading researchers strive to provide readers with the most up-to-date, accurate, and useful information.
Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more publications.
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