When you think about Maine, quaint New England towns, gorgeous natural beauty, and outdoor activities probably come to mind. In addition to the best lobster you’ll find anywhere, Maine living also offers access to outdoor activities in all four seasons, ranging from hiking and blueberry picking to cross-country and downhill skiing. Here are the nine cities that topped our list of best places to live in Maine:
- Portland
- South Portland
- Augusta
- Lewiston
- Auburn
- Cape Elizabeth
- Falmouth
- Yarmouth
- Waterville
From city life to small towns, Maine has it all. Explore the best places to live in Maine and find your new hometown in one of these cities.
Portland
- Population: 68,313
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,740 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $1,995 per month
Portland, the city with the largest population in Maine, was ranked in Livability.com’s top 100 best places to live in 2022, and when you live here, you can easily see why. Portland is a foodie’s heaven, offering a high volume of restaurants per capita. You’ll discover everything from traditional local lobsters to French cuisine, wood-fired pizza, and Korean barbecue.
Enjoy a stroll along Portland’s waterfront, the state’s largest seaport, including Portland Harbor and the historic Old Port district. Portland’s arts district is a home for the arts and hosts several shops and galleries. The University of Southern Maine’s campus also calls Portland home. No wonder it also made our list of the best places to live in the Northeast.
South Portland
- Population: 26,933
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,575 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $2,000 per month
South Portland is Portland’s more affordable but delightful neighbor, according to a report by the website Livability. South Portland shares Maine’s largest airport, Portland International Jetport, with Portland. Like its neighbor, South Portland has a city-living vibe, with plenty of local coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, suburban affordability, and comfort. South Portland also has public schools ranked above the national average.
South Portland also includes the Bangor area. If you’re a fan of fiction and fantasy, then you might know about Bangor and its famous resident, Stephen King. With a local community feeling, easy access to mountains and water, and arts and culture, you can easily see why the famous writer settled here. Portland is considered the gateway to the “North Country,” the home of incredible destinations for white-water rafting.
The uninhabited, wild coast of Maine is only 30 miles away from Bangor. Acadia National Park, located 40 miles south of Bangor, makes a desirable place to visit for those who love the outdoors. Bangor is also a gaming destination, with horse track betting and slot machines available. The city is home to the locally famous Old Town Canoe Company and the University of Maine.
Augusta
- Population: 18,968
- One-bedroom rent average: $800 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $1,050 per month
Augusta is Maine’s capital and hosts the University of Maine at Augusta and a world-class cancer care center. This facility supports various career opportunities in the area. Residents of Augusta enjoy the nearby water recreation opportunities and parks. With access to the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Maine State Museum, and the Lithgow Public Library, Augusta is also a great place for families to live. Even better, Augusta has affordable housing prices with a cost of living lower than the national average.
Lewiston
- Population: 36,617
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,100 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $1,200 per month
Located on the Androscoggin River, Lewiston is home to Bates College, four other colleges and universities, and two regional hospitals. As the second-largest city in Maine, Lewiston offers a great combination of city-style living with easy access to nearby outdoor activities. Many families from Quebec settled the area that is now Lewiston during the late 18th century, and today, it is still home to one of the largest French-speaking populations in the United States.
Lewiston is known as an up-and-coming home for younger professionals and families. Lewiston residents also enjoy visiting the Bates College Museum of Art, the Olin Arts Center, the Stephens Observatory, and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Auburn
- Population: 24,033
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,100 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $1,400 per month
Auburn is another attractive place to live. This community is across from Lewiston, and the two are often regarded as sister cities. Auburn shares the Auburn-Lewiston Airport with its neighbor. Like Lewiston, Auburn is also an attractive destination for younger professionals. Auburn is an accessible city located near U.S. Route 202 and Interstate 95. These roadways allow you to head off to any destination for weekend getaways easily. Auburn is known for the 19th-century buildings that line its main street and its Festival Plaza.
Cape Elizabeth
- Population: 9,307
- One-bedroom rent average: N/A
- Two-bedroom rent average: $3,215 per month
Located south of Portland, Cape Elizabeth is a desirable location on the coast. With a population of fewer than 10,000 residents, Cape Elizabeth has a small-town feel. It also offers several other amenities that make Cape Elizabeth an appealing family destination, including outstanding public schools and Crescent Beach State Park, which features a swimming beach, picnic areas, and trails.
Falmouth
- Population: 12,262
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,775 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $2,550 per month
Located off Interstate 295, Falmouth offers an easy commute to both Brunswick and Portland in less than an hour. Falmouth also boasts some of the best public schools in the state. Residents can enjoy Highland Lake and easy access to the Atlantic coast, too. Falmouth is considered a northern suburb of Portland and offers one of the largest anchorages in the state. Falmouth’s charming main street, Town Landing, is an appealing thoroughfare to stroll and explore the shops that line the street.
Yarmouth
- Population: 5,752
- One-bedroom rent average: $1,550 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $2,090 per month
If you’re looking for a small New England town with gorgeous natural scenery, Yarmouth is the ideal place. Gentle rivers, lush forests, and an expansive coastline are some of the natural highlights. Yarmouth also has a strong community vibe with families who have lived here for generations.
Waterville
- Population: 15,959
- One-bedroom rent average: $900 per month
- Two-bedroom rent average: $1,100 per month
Nestled on the banks of the Kennebec River, Waterville is nicknamed “Elm City.” With a population of about 15,000, Waterville has a small-town feel and allows its residents to easily access conveniences such as the Robert LaFleur Airport, Inland Hospital, and Colby College.
Frequently asked questions about living in Maine
The state of Maine encompasses about 33,215 square miles of land and measures 320 miles long and 210 miles wide. This area includes more than 21,000 miles of public highways. In terms of population, Maine has over 1 million residents throughout the state. As the largest state in the New England region, Maine has a variety of environments and terrains, so you can easily find an area that fits your lifestyle.
The largest city in the state of Maine is Ellsworth, which includes over 93 square miles of land. In terms of population, however, Portland, Maine, has the largest population in the state, with 68,313 people living in the city.
Maine’s location in the northeast provides the state with cold and snowy winters and mild summer temperatures. In the far northern part of the state, winter temperatures average 15 degrees Fahrenheit or less, and the summer weather range starts at 60 degrees. In the southernmost part of the state, winters reach about 25 degrees and summers can be a bit warmer, with temperatures starting in the 70s.
The land in Maine varies across the state, making it easy for everyone to find an area that provides them with the environment and terrain they desire. With over 17 million acres of forest, 90% of the state includes forested areas, making it a scenic and beautiful natural environment for exploration and hunting.
In addition, the state boasts over 3,500 miles of coastline, which residents use for fishing and boating. If you’re looking to live near the water, you can choose your location from over 2,200 miles of inland water areas and up to 2,000 coastal islands that make up the state. Maine has become known for its diverse environments, including forests, lakes, beaches, and mountains.
Similarly to the rest of the New England region, living in Maine can get expensive. While the exact costs and expenses can vary depending on your location, the average cost of living for residents in the state of Maine is approximately $45,272 per year, according to a study by SoFi. The largest expense for residents includes housing and utilities, which averages just over $8,500. Additional notable expenses include health care fees, groceries, gas, and energy costs.
For gorgeous scenery, outdoor activities, and small-town New England vibes, the above cities offer attractive places to live in Maine. To learn more about the cities and towns we’ve featured in this post, visit the websites for their chambers of commerce. When you’re ready to move to Maine, explore our resources to help you move to a new state and find a place to live that suits your lifestyle preferences.
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