Go Sell Your House And Move To The 10 Most Affordable Communities In Maine

We all know that living in Maine is something special. Between the natural beauty, cultural events and access to great food there's no other place we'd rather be. But, at times life here can feel expensive. Especially if you live in the areas in and surrounding the larger cities. While there's no denying that living in Maine can be expensive, there's good news! If you're willing to explore, there are places that are fairly affordable. Using a mix of recent U.S. Census data plus the cost of living, home prices, and recent crime statistics HomeSnacks has ranked them for us.

1. Caribou, Aroostook County

Coming in at #1 is one of the more off-the-beaten-path locations, Caribou. The population is about 7,800 and the median income is just under $40,000. If you're looking to buy a home, expect to pay around $89,400, which is the average for the town.

2. Gardiner, Kennebec County

Gardiner is near Augusta, making it a convenient place to live if you work in the state's capital. The population is about 5,600. In 2018 it was ranked #1, but it now takes the #2 spot. The average income is about $47,000 and the average home cost comes in at $137,400. That feels like quite a jump from Caribou!

3. Brewer, Penobscot County

The population of Brewer hovers around 9,000, but it's a close-knit community of Mainers! The median income is around $56,000 and the average home price is $159,900. Brewer came in at #5 in 2018, which means this place is getting more affordable.

4. Presque Isle, Aroostook County

Another of the most off-the-beaten-path towns, little Presque Isle is beloved by those who grew up here. The median income is about $37,000, while the average home price is just above $100,000.

5. Auburn, Androscoggin Country

Often talked about in the same sentence as Lewiston, this former mill city is an important part of the county's economics. The average income here is about 48,000 and the median home price is just over $150,000.

6. Calais, Washington County

First of all, before you consider moving here you'll need to remember that it's not pronounced like the same city in France. Think about this more like the rough part of your hand after some hard work. Regardless of pronunciation, homes here average about $91,000 which median income is around $35,000.

7. Belfast, Waldo County

Belfast is also known as "Moonbat Kingdon" and we love it for that. Head here for quirky art and shops. But it's also got a median income of about $60,000 with an average home price of around $200,000. This town came in at 20 last year, so it's rank today is pretty impressive!

8. Lewiston, Androscoggin County

With a population of 36,211, Lewiston is the largest city in Maine. It's larger than Portland which people often find surprising. The median income here is about $40,000 and a home averages about $140,000.

9. Waterville, Kennebec County

Home to Colby College, Waterville is home to some a good amount of college kids. This year the town has moved up 5 places to come in at #9 most affordable place to live in Maine. The median income is about $37,000 and the average home price is around $130,000.

10. Augusta, Kennebec County

And, last but certainly not least, is our state's capital! Augusta has a population of nearly 19,000. The median income is $40,000 and the average home price is about $142,000.

We're all exploring Maine on a budget, so be sure to check out these 10 awesome things you can do for under $10.