Life in Maine isn’t totally about fall foliage, lighthouses and fresh seafood, but those perks sure don’t hurt this gorgeous state’s rep, either.
The Pine Tree State has quaint towns, bustling cities and everything in between, so it’s no easy feat to narrow the best places in Maine down to only 10. It seems like many of the state’s cities have their own charming niche to fill, be it antiques, culture, maritime industry and so on. The good news is that even if you don’t move to one of these cities you’ll still get to enjoy them. The state is only so big, after all. Here are the best places to live in Maine.
- Population: 24,061
- Median household income: $51,681
- Average commute time: 22.9 minutes
- Walk score: 66
- One-bedroom average rent: N/A
- Two-bedroom average rent: N/A
The Maine city of Auburn couldn’t be more different than its same-named Alabamian counterpart. The quiet, quaint community is the fourth-largest in the state and is in south-central Maine on the banks of the Androscoggin River directly across from Lewiston.
Although the Maine winters are harsh, there’s plenty of joy to come from that, especially with activities like skiing and ice skating. In the warmer months, locals love to hit the golf courses and boat/fish/kayak on the river. Just one of the annual festivals is Art in the Park, which is part of the Riverfest event put on by Auburn and neighboring Lewiston (its twin city).
The city also has a number of community gardens, available for use by locals for a nominal fee. Some even have sections for children! Hockey fans should definitely head over to Auburn’s Norway Savings Bank Arena to catch a Twin City Thunder game or two.
- Population: 31,753
- Median household income: $47,538
- Average commute time: 16.9 minutes
- Walk score: 50
- One-bedroom average rent: N/A
- Two-bedroom average rent: N/A
This one-time timber industry hub owes a lot of debt to its beginnings but continues to chop out its own path. Slightly inland, the city of Bangor is the state’s third-largest city and is more affordable than many other areas of Maine. However, unlike some other spots, Bangor is less pedestrian-friendly, thanks to a walk score of only 50.
The city makes up for that dismal fact in entertainment options, fortunately! The Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway is a popular hotspot, as are the many local wineries peddling (among other selections) blueberry wine. Yum!
Like most of Maine, Bangor also has natural attractions for days. Bangor City Forest itself has hundreds of miles’ worth of trails to hike, and Moosehead Lake has excellent fishing for wild brook trout and smallmouth bass. The Jeremiah Colburn Natural Area is another beloved spot, especially for bird-watchers.
- Population: 22,552
- Median household income: $54,915
- Average commute time: 23.5 minutes
- Walk score: 66
- One-bedroom average rent: N/A
- Two-bedroom average rent: N/A
Slightly south of Portland is the picturesque city of Biddeford, previously known as a major mill community. Today, this is the ideal place for young professionals to live, as the average resident age is only 29 years old! One of Main Street Maine’s revitalized downtowns is in Biddeford, and the residents and other nearby locals love to take advantage of everything it has to offer, including top-tier dining and shopping.
Biddeford also puts on an impressive amount of annual events, sometimes in tandem with its twin city, Saco. These include River Jam Fest, the Downtown Creepy Crawl, Music in the Park and the I Love Biddeford 5K. The city also hosts monthly ArtWalks, and the City Theater performs regularly in packed houses. Don’t forget to take advantage of the scenic river walks!
- Population: 8,737
- Median household income: $89,484
- Average commute time: 20.2 minutes
- Walk score: N/A
- One-bedroom average rent: $2,075
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,500
Get those credit cards and reusable shopping bags ready, because the coastal gem city of Freeport is widely considered the top shopping destination in all of New England. This itty-bitty city boasts everything from independent boutiques to famous brand outlets within its quaint confines (including L.L. Bean’s flagship store). Shopping aside, it’s no wonder that people flock to visit and live in Freeport. Its 18th-century architecture, friendly vibe and excellent craft beer community make it one of Rhode Island’s most well-rounded communities.
Found on the banks of Casco Bay, Freeport is a mere two-hour drive from the hopping metropolis of Boston. People work hard in Freeport, but they also know how to play the same way. The Maine Oyster Festival happens here every summer, and the Freeport Fall Festival kicks off the season the first weekend of every October. Don’t forget to stop by the many nature trails and preserves in the area, including the Desert of Maine, which are sand dunes found smack in the middle of a forest!
- Population: 37,121
- Median household income: $42,969
- Average commute time: 20.2 minutes
- Walk score: 83
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,200
- Two-bedroom average rent: N/A
The second-largest city in the state, Lewiston is a bit south of the state capital of Augusta and just north of Portland, so it’s conveniently situated. Compared with many other cities in Maine, the cost of living in Lewiston is delightfully low, a serious selling point for young families and the like. Residents especially love that Lewiston has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, not to mention excellent public schools!
Founded on the banks of the Androscoggin River, much of Lewiston’s early industry centered around this tool. Today, however, there’s a diverse array of career opportunities, especially in technology and telecommunications.
There’s plenty of fun in Lewiston, since the city puts on many festivals, such as the Great Falls Balloon Festival, World Refugee Day Festival, Brew Fest, Emerge Film Festival and more. They’ve even recently added a rowing regatta as part of the Riverfront Island Master Plan! Also, you don’t have to parlez-vous Francais, but it doesn’t hurt, since the city has the largest French-speaking population in the country.
- Population: 68,408
- Median household income: $61,695
- Average commute time: 19.7 minutes
- Walk score: 80
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,850
- Two-bedroom average rent: $1,950
Fancy yourself a foodie? Portland, the largest city in the state of Maine, likely has the best selection compared to, well, anywhere. Renowned chefs flock to Portland to make use of the local fare, which includes fresh seafood, apples, berries, etc. As a longtime “culinary destination” city, Portland doesn’t just dish up the local eats, either. The Japanese food scene, in particular, is having a moment in Portland, with restaurants like Izakaya Minato and Pai Men Miyake bringing in customers by droves.
This coastal city obviously has no shortage of lighthouses and picturesque rocky beaches to enjoy. Established as a fishing settlement back in the 1600s, Portland still has a booming maritime industry. However, it has also morphed into a world-class destination, with many cultural attractions in and around the city. The Portland Museum of Art is the state’s oldest and biggest public site in the state, plus it’s also home to the Maine College of Art & Design and the Maine State Ballet.
- Population: 22,135
- Median household income: $102,742
- Average commute time: 19.2 minutes
- Walk score: 25
- One-bedroom average rent: $2,295
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,400
Another town on the southern shore, and also at the mouth of the Nonesuch River, Scarborough is primarily a residential suburb. That said, it’s also popular with tourists for its views, outdoor opportunities and quintessential Maine-like atmosphere. In addition to being one of the fastest-growing communities, Scarborough is, unfortunately, one of the least affordable. In fact, the average income in this city is $102,742! For being so outdoorsy, it’s also not very walkable with a walk score of only 25.
Negative stuff aside, Scarborough has a lot going for it. There are three public beaches, plus community members can access the shore via Scarborough Beach State Park. There are also plenty of public parks to choose from to throw a frisbee, play pickleball, cycle, jog or otherwise enjoy the great outdoors. These include Blue Point Park, Peterson Sports Complex, Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary and many more.
- Population: 26,498
- Median household income: $67,198
- Average commute time: 18 minutes
- Walk score: 46
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,310
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,217
Situated on Portland Harbor, South Portland is Portland’s neighbor with a lower walk score of 46. That said, there are still plenty of positives about this community, including the Maine Mall, which is the state’s busiest and biggest!
South Portland is also a community on the rise, as noted by Money Magazine, which in 2018 rated it one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S. The city’s development potential, excellent location, picturesque neighborhoods and general affordability landed South Portland on that list.
Among the amenities is Bug Light Park, which served as a huge shipyard during World War II. Today, it’s a memorial in honor of those who worked so tirelessly to construct hundreds of Liberty Ships. Locals also love to stroll along the Spring Point Shoreway, which winds up at a famous lighthouse, Spring Point Ledge Light, then continues to Willard Beach.
- Population: 20,400
- Median household income: $71,183
- Average commute time: 22.4 minutes
- Walk score: 48
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,950
- Two-bedroom average rent: $1,900
A suburb of Portland, Westbrook is an excellent choice for people who want to enjoy everything the larger city has to offer, but on a smaller scale. It isn’t necessary to haul all the way to Portland for a good time, though. Downtown Westbrook is a recently revitalized area with a booming restaurant and pub scene. The craft beer industry is also alive and well in downtown Westbrook! The city also puts on a summer concert series every year, a mix of original and cover bands to suit all tastes.
The Presumpscot River is the crown jewel of Westbrook, and between the waterway and downtown is Riverbank Park. This green space hosts many private and public events, as well as a brick memorial to Westbrook’s veterans. Probably nothing encourages community spirit as much as the weekend-long Westbrook Together Days festival.
Find your own best place to live in Maine
This northeasternmost state in the U.S. clearly has a lot going for it, and there are many more cities that deserve a spot on this list of the best places to live in Maine. For would-be Mainers, it’s easy to start the apartment search. Just try to choose a warmer month to move there, because, brr!
Rent prices are based on an average from Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory as of June 2022.
Other demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Source: rent.com